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Around the throne 



SKETCHES OF WASHINGTON SOCIETY 
DURING A RECENT ADMINISTRATION 


REPORTED BY 

PAUL WINCHESTER 



BALTIMORE 
B. G. EICHELBERGER 


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THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 
Two Cowes Received 

JUN. 3 1902 

Copyright entry 

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CLASS C^XXa No. 

33 7c<& 

COPY B. 


COPYRIGHT 1902 

BY 

PAUL WINCHESTER. 


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AROUND THE THRONE. 


Sketches of Washington Society. 


CHAPTER I. 

AT SECRETARY BARRETTES. 

“It is a great pity that Norton has no prin- 
ciple. It is the one thing lacking in his char- 
acter. His principles, so far as he has any, are 
correct. His life, in his domestic and business 
relations, is faultless. He is a moral man, in all 
the usual relations of life, in the highest sense 
of the word. He is devoted to his family, and 
his wife and children are devoted to him. He 
goes to church, is charitable and kind, and yet 
while he has certain principles, paradoxical as 
it may seem, he has no principle in political 
affairs. If he had principle he would be a great 
man, a great statesman — perhaps the greatest 


io Around the Throne. 

in his country, certainly the greatest in his 
party. But he is utterly lacking in this one 
requisite to real greatness, and as it is, he is a 
mere politician, in the worst sense of the word 
at that. It really is a great pity, for the coun- 
try is very much in need of such a statesman 
as he would be if he did not lack this one essen- 
tial to greatness.” 

Secretary Whiting, as he said these words, 
glanced across the room to where Senator Nor- 
ton, about whom he was talking, was standing 
engaged in conversation with their hostess. 

“Look at Norton,” he continued. “His face 
is remarkable. It reminds me of a celebrated 
picture of St. Dominic, which I saw some years 
ago in the old palace of the Escurial, in Spain. 
No one knows who painted the portrait, but 
there it hangs in that gloomy old palace erected 
by Philip II, who held his court there in the 
last years of his evil and superstitious life. I 
have often thought since I became acquainted 
with Norton that there must be some connec- 
tion between him and the Guzmans, of which 
family St. Dominic was a member. There is 


Around the Throne. 


ii 


the same shaped head, the same large but not 
unhandsome mouth, the same inscrutable ex- 
pression and the same cold smile. My wife 
has often remarked the resemblance to the por- 
trait of the great inquisitor, and said she felt 
when talking to Senator Norton that it would 
not surprise her in the least to hear him call 
into the room a few black-robed agents of the 
inquisition, and order them to take her to a 
dungeon or the stake to be burned for heresy, 
although he is a good Presbyterian, like her- 
self. He seems to me a peculiar combination 
of good and evil, and yet there is a fascination 
about him which I am unable to resist. When 
we meet he says very little, and yet when he 
goes away I am not able to recall that I have 
received any positive information from him on 
any subject, while he has generally persuaded 
me to promise all he wished, and has made me 
say many things I ought to have left unsaid. 
But it is time for us to take leave of our hostess. 
Most of the guests seem to have gone, and I 
suppose Mrs. Whiting and your sister are wait- 
ing for us in the hall.” 


12 


Around the Throne. 


The reception was over, and the two gentle- 
men were almost the last to say good night to 
Mrs. Barrett, the wife of the distinguished Cab- 
inet Minister, at whose house it was held. As 
they were taking leave, that lady said : 

“Secretary Whiting, you were telling Gov- 
ernor Vail your opinion of Senator Norton. 
You should be more careful, for I am sure that 
he understood what you said, and was not 
pleased. I hope you have not made an enemy 
of him, for the Administration has no friends 
to spare in the Senate at the present time, and 
he is too powerful a man to offend when so 
much depends on his co-operation.” 

“Why do you think he understood what I 
said, which I must confess was about him ? He 
was the entire width of the room away from 
us.” 

“There is something strange about that 
man,” said Mrs. Barrett. “I believe he has 
learned to understand what people say by the 
motion of the lips, as many deaf people do, 
you know. In fact, I am sure of it, for he 
understood something I said about him once, 


Around the Throne. 13 

when I knew he could not hear my voice, and 
other people say that he has this faculty. Al- 
though he was with me when you and Governor 
Vail were discussing him, he was watching 
you intently and not paying the least attention 
to what I was saying. I hope what you said 
was not very bad.” 

“No; so far from being bad, it was in the 
main complimentary; although I am sorry he 
understood me, if he did, as you seem to believe. 
But I see Mrs. Whiting is growing impatient, 
so we must say good night. I should like very 
much to hear further what you have to say on 
this subject, but Governor Vail is obliged to 
leave Washington early in the morning, and he 
and I have many business matters of impor- 
tance to talk over before we go to bed, so good 
night.” The two gentlemen then joined Mrs. 
Whiting and Miss Vail in the hall, after which 
they entered their carriage and were driven 
rapidly to Secretary Whiting’s residence, sev- 
eral squares distant. 

Mrs. Barrett was not mistaken in her belief 
that Senator Norton had understood what Sec- 


14 


Around the Throne. 


retary Whiting was saying about him to Gov- 
ernor Vail. Early in life he had been afflicted 
with partial deafness, and at that time had 
learned to interpret what people said by the 
motions and movements of their lips. After 
he had recovered the complete use of his hear- 
ing he had found this faculty most useful to 
him. His eyes were unusually sharp, and he 
had no difficulty whatever in making out what 
people were saying even when they were so far 
off that not the faintest sound of their voices 
reached him. At one time, when he was a dele- 
gate to a large political convention, he saw the 
chairman holding a conference with one of his 
factional opponents during the discussion of 
an important question, when itwas particularly 
necessary for him to know just how the pre- 
siding officer looked at the matter, and he was 
thus able to change his tactics and turn what 
would otherwise have been a disastrous defeat 
into a semblance of victory for his side. On 
other occasions he had found this knowledge 
of great use, and often his opponents had won- 
dered how he had learned their plans, fre- 


Around the Throne. 15 

quently accusing him of having spies in their 
councils, when he had really discovered the facts 
by watching the motions of their lips when 
they were holding whispered conferences in his 
sight, but without his hearing. For more than 
a year he had been extremely anxious to find 
out just what Secretary Whiting thought of 
him, but up to the present time that extremely 
suave and gracious statesman had baffled all 
his efforts. Until he understood in what esti- 
mation he himself was held by any one with 
whom he came in contact, he never formed a 
fixed opinion (if any of his opinions could be 
called fixed) about that person. Secretary 
Whiting had been to him an unknown, and he 
had Telt covertly hostile to him when the Presi- 
dent had chosen him for the important Cabinet 
portfolio against his advice, as well as against 
the advice of all the leaders of the party, who 
had urged his Excellency to choose some promi- 
nent man for the position. But the President 
had a strong mind of his own, and had per- 
sisted in making up his Cabinet almost entirely 
of comparatively unknown and untried men, 


1 6 Around the Throne. 

notwithstanding the vehement protest of the 
Senators of his party, who foretold all sorts of 
calamities to the organization as the result of 
his obstinacy and self-will. Of these unknown 
and untried men, Secretary Whiting had very 
soon easily demonstrated the fact that no blun- 
der had been committed when he was chosen, 
for he had not been in Washington a week after 
the inauguration before even the most competent 
Senators were compelled to admit that he was 
a true leader of men, and that a new statesman 
had been discovered in the modest but able and 
shrewd gentleman who had never before held a 
public office, and who had never had even the 
slightest experience in practical politics. In 
fact, he had surprised even his most intimate 
friends by the ease with which he adapted him- 
self to his new surroundings and the ability 
with which he grasped the details of the man- 
agement of one of the most important depart- 
ments of the Federal Government. 

He was one of the few men whom Senator 
Norton had met in his long career at Wash- 
ington whom he could not understand, or, to 


Around the Throne. 17 

use his own expression to his wife, who was 
his only confidant, “Whiting is one of the two 
men here whom I cannot size up ; the other man 
is the President himself.” The Secretary had 
been extremely gracious to the Senator. He 
had gratified the hungry instincts for spoils of 
his numerous henchmen who had flocked to 
Washington after the inauguration, eager to 
secure places in the Federal service under the 
new administration, until it had become a well- 
known fact that Senator Norton had secured 
more places in that department than any other 
member of the upper house of Congress. But 
in all this time, while he had granted favor 
after favor, he had never in any way asked for 
anything in return, or given his confidence to 
the man who was looked upon as the leader of 
his party in the body where he had occupied a 
seat for so long. Latterly he had declined sev- 
eral requests made by the Senator, and that 
gentleman had been more than ever anxious to 
learn what the Secretary really thought of him, 
and that night accident had given him, in part, 
the information he desired. He was partly 


18 Around the Throne. 

pleased, and yet he determined to wait for fur- 
ther developments before coming to any con- 
clusion. He knew that the President thoroughly 
distrusted him, although during the first few 
months of his administration he had been one 
of his closest and most confidential advisers. 
He feared that Secretary Whiting might have 
said more than he understood, consequently the 
more he thought about it, the more doubtful he 
became, and as he leaned back in his carriage 
on his way home, his preoccupation attracted 
the attention of his wife, who said : 

“Something has disturbed you, and you are 
worrying about it. Tell me what it is ?” 

“No,” the Senator replied, “I am not exactly 
disturbed, but only puzzled,” and he told her 
what he was thinking about. She said : “I can- 
not understand why that should worry you, for 
I know you are worried by your manner. Sec- 
retary Whiting is only one of the passing fig- 
ures in your career, like so many other Cabinet 
ministers whom you have known since you first 
came to Washington. You can remain here all 
your life, while he is here today and tomorrow 


Around the Throne. 19 

is gone, like those whom we have known who 
preceded him. Why, therefore, should you 
care what he thinks of you, any more than you 
cared for the opinion, whether favorable, hos- 
tile or indifferent, of his predecessors. He is 
but a part of the passing show that has changed 
from year to year during your long public 
career at Washington. He is more agreeable 
and has better manners than the others, but I 
can see no other difference between him and 
them. Why, therefore, I ask, should you care 
what he may think of you ?" 

“I do care more than I imagined. He is the 
only man whom I have met here in all these 
years who has really impressed me with the fact 
that his good opinion and real friendship would 
be of value. I do not care what the President 
may think of me, for he and I are diametrically 
opposed in our views on almost every subject, 
and I know that he thinks that I am no more 
than a selfish, scheming, time-serving political 
trickster, for in fact he almost told me so to my 
face the other day, and he has not hesitated to 
say that such is his opinion of me to other peo- 


20 


Around the Throne. 


pie. But Whiting is another sort of a man — 
in fact, I never met a man in whose good graces 
I so wished to stand as I do in his. But I feel 
that he has very much the same opinion of me 
as has the President. I shall try to find out as 
soon as possible, for in view of certain plans 
for the future which I am considering, it is 
absolutely necessary for me to know without 
much further delay. But here we are at home,” 
and as he said this, the carriage stopped at his 
door. 


Around the Throne. 


21 


CHAPTER II. 
at justice Mortimer's. 

The season at Washington was at its height, 
and as the guests sat down at the table in the 
dining-room of the hospitable house of Justice 
and Mrs. Mortimer, where a large dinner was 
being given, preparatory to the ball at the Rus- 
sian Embassy, the conversation turned almost 
exclusively to the unusual gayety of the winter, 
which had far exceeded anything within the 
memory of the oldest inhabitant present, who in 
this case happened to be Mrs. Storman, whose 
husband had been in public life at the Capital, 
first as a member of the House of Representa- 
tives before the Civil War and later as Senator 
and Cabinet Minister. At this time he was one 
of the Senators from his State, and while Mrs. 
Storman had been with him all through his 
public career, her vivacity and youthful appear- 
ance in no wise indicated her age, which was 


22 


Around the Throne. 


rapidly approaching the Scriptural three score 
and ten. Several ladies present, who were at 
least ten years her junior, looked older than 
she. A calm and placid disposition, together 
with a happy home and devoted husband and 
children, were often mentioned by her as the 
chief reasons for her almost youthful appear- 
ance, for she was not sensitive in the slightest 
degree about her age, but frequently alluded to 
it when people looked at her in surprise as she 
told of matters concerning society at Washing- 
ton before the war, that period the mention of 
which is now such a certain indication that the 
speaker, if telling personal recollections, is rap- 
idly leaving the middle period of life behind. 

The conversation about the unusual brilliancy 
of the social season had begun in the drawing 
room before the guests were all assembled, and 
was resumed as soon as they were seated at the 
table. The hostess, who was comparatively new 
to the Capital, addressed a question to Mrs. 
Storman on the subject. 

“Washington is not at all as it used to be, 
and I must confess this winter has been a little 


Around the Throne. 23 

too much for me,” was the reply. “I have been 
here now every season for over forty years, 
have gone everywhere during that time, and 
you are right in believing that this exceeds in 
gayety anything in the past. In fact, I find it 
impossible to accept even half the invitations 
I receive and at the same time attend to those 
matters which my position renders it impera- 
tive that I should, in addition to the large 
number of elaborate and really important social 
functions of the present, the most notable fea- 
ture is the increased luxury in the manner in 
which entertainments of all sorts are given. 
Until about ten years ago extravagance and 
luxury were frowned upon by the modest and 
quiet people who were the social leaders. Now, 
the great influx of very wealthy people, who 
have taken up their residence here either from 
official reasons or because this is a very desir- 
able place in which to pass the gay season, has 
made things different, and the whole system of 
entertaining is changed, and lavish expenditure 
is the rule rather than the exception, as in 
former days.” 


24 Around the Throne. 

Mrs. Storman’s remarks were the last which 
were addressed to the guests generally, and, as 
there were twenty-four people seated at the 
table, the conversation was confined to small 
groups of those who were neighbors, each sep- 
arate group of three or four talking on different 
subjects, in some instances resulting in tete-a- 
tetes between those who were seated side by 
side. 

The party was made up of the usual sort of 
people met at all such social functions in Wash- 
ington. They were Secretary and Mrs. Whit- 
ing, Secretary and Mrs. Barrett, the Vice- 
President and his wife, Senator and Mrs. Stor- 
man, Senator and Mrs. Norton, the Speaker 
and wife, the Secretary of one of the leading 
foreign embassies, two Associate Judges of the 
Supreme Court with their wives, a member of 
the House from one of the Western States, the 
two daughters of the host and hostess, and 
two gentlemen who were visitors at the Capital, 
and, being friends of the family, had been in- 
vited to the dinner. One of these latter was 
a writer, and as this was his first visit to Wash- 


Around the Throne. 25 

ington he was anxious to see and hear every- 
thing, in order to utilize the result of his ob- 
servations in a book on the social aspects of life 
at the center of our national politics. Mr. War- 
ham, for that was his name, was seated next to 
the elder Miss Mortimer, who was noted not 
only for her beauty and wit, but also for the 
cynical and sarcastic comments which she was 
in the habit of making in regard to anybody 
and everybody with whom she came in con- 
tact. His vis-a-vis was Mrs. Branch, the wife 
of the Speaker of the House, who was credited 
with having one of the sharpest and most un- 
sparing tongues in the town. In fact, no two 
women were more feared and hated in Wash- 
ington than these accomplished ladies, and their 
epigrams and caustic bon mots in regard to 
persons and things were quoted on all sides, 
for they spared no one, from the President and 
his wife down to the most obscure member of 
the House. Mrs. Branch especially was noted 
for her sharp epigrams, and in more than one 
instance her shafts of sarcasm and biting ridi- 
cule had settled the fate of measures before 


26 


Around the Throne. 


Congress and the departments more quickly 
than all the arguments of the statesmen. She 
was a slight, frail-looking woman about forty 
years old, and her mild brown eyes and quiet 
demeanor indicated an entirely different sort of 
person from what she really was. Every one, 
especially the members of the Government, 
treated her with the greatest deference, and the 
ladies in the official circle, while they feared and 
hated her, were extremely careful not to give 
the slightest indication of their real feelings 
toward her when in her presence. 

“I suppose the President’s wife is the leader 
of society,” said Mr. Warham. “As the mis- 
tress of the White House she would hold that 
position as a matter of course, but you see I am 
an entire stranger in Washington, and I must 
confess that I have heretofore taken so little 
interest in such matters that I really ask in 
order to be enlightened on the subject.” 

The Vice-President’s lady, who happened to 
hear this remark, tossed her head slightly, and 
looked as if she would like to give the informa- 
tion desired. It was well known that she 


Around the Throne. 27 

thought she ought to be the social leader, and it 
was a matter of common talk that between her- 
self and the lady of the White House there was 
a decided feeling of suppressed hostility, which 
was expected at any time to break out in open 
social warfare. Indeed, it was said that it took 
all the skill and influence of the distinguished 
statesmen, their husbands, to prevent an open 
rupture, and the consequent establishment of 
rival social headquarters in the Presidential and 
Vice-Presidential mansions. 

“Officially, yes, the President’s wife is the 
leader here,” said Miss Mortimer, with a cyn- 
ical smile. 

“In order to be a social leader, you must 
have knowledge of society and be able to lead,” 
said Mrs. Branch in a low, soft tone. 

“Not in Washington,” said Miss Mortimer. 
“Official position is all that is supposed to be 
necessary.” 

“The President’s wife is a dear, good 
woman,” said Mrs. Branch. “They do say that 
she intends to resume the Sunday afternoon 
prayer-meetings which were held in the East 


28 


Around the Throne. 


Room during the administration of Mrs. 
Hayes, ever so many years ago, and those who 
do not attend them will receive no favors at 
her hands.” 

Mr. Warham looked up in surprise. “De- 
cidedly,” he thought to himself, “the Speaker’s 
wife is a more interesting person than I imag- 
ined. I must cultivate her acquaintance fur- 
ther.” 

“Mrs. Storman, you remember Mrs. Hayes,” 
said Miss Mortimer. “Is it really true that 
prayer-meetings were held in the East Room 
when she was at the White House ?” 

“Such was the report at the time,” replied 
Mrs. Storman. “Mrs. Hayes was a very de- 
vout woman, and if she had wanted to hold a 
prayer-meeting in the rotunda of the Capitol, 
nothing but the interference of the police could 
have prevented her doing so. I remember very 
distinctly the surprise she caused at the first 
diplomatic dinner she gave by requesting the 
oldest member of the Corps to ask the blessing 
when they were seated at the table. It is very 
likely that she did have prayer-meetings in the 


Around the Throne. 29 

East Room, according to the report at the time, 
although I never attended any of them. She 
considered me a very worldly woman, however, 
and was not likely to have asked me to be 
present^ 

“ I understand that the President opens the 
Cabinet meetings with a fervent prayer. Is the 
story true, Mr. Secretary?” said Mrs. Branch 
to Secretary Whiting. 

The gentleman addressed laughed heartily 
as he contradicted the report. He said : “You 
must not believe all the stories you hear about 
the President. He is a most excellent man, and 
his wife is one of the very best women I ever 
met.” 

“I have no doubt of it,” said the Speaker’s 
wife, who never lost an opportunity to have a 
fling at the lady of the White House, while the 
Speaker was not at all backward in saying 
equally cutting things about the President, 
against whom he had been the leading candi- 
date for the party nomination. “She has dif- 
fused an atmosphere of such intense sanctity 
around her that it makes sinners like me un- 


30 


Around the Throne. 


comfortable when we are near her. Her pres- 
ence and the holiness she casts out are expected 
to have a very purifying effect on Washington 
society before the close of the administration.” 

“I heard someone call her the Presi- 
dent’s backbone,” said Miss Mortimer. “It was 
said that she had to stiffen him up when any 
important decision was to be made.” 

“I am surprised to hear that he has any back- 
bone,” said one of the gentlemen across the 
table. “Reports do not credit him with the pos- 
session of such an article in his anatomy.” 

“Secretary Whiting, is it really true that the 
President asked for the resignation of the Post- 
master-General a short time since because that 
gentleman does not go to church? I heard so 
on excellent authority,” said Mrs. Branch 
sweetly, but with a sarcastic intonation. 

Secretary Whiting laughed good-naturedly, 
but signs of irritation were manifest in his 
voice when he replied : 

“Really, those of you who are not friendly 
to the President seem at all times ready to be- 
lieve anything and everything absurd, and, par- 


Around the Throne. 31 

don me for using such a harsh word, ill- 
natured, that may be circulated about him and 
his family. I know him perhaps better than 
anyone, and I am convinced that with all his 
peculiarities, he is conscientious in trying to do 
his duty. As for his wife, she is certainly one 
of the best women I ever knew, and while she 
may not have enjoyed the social advantages 
that these ladies have who have lived for so 
long in Washington, she is rapidly acquiring 
the necessary experience to carry out creditably 
the duties of her high position, and before the 
close of the Administration will surprise all 
her critics.” 

The rebuke implied in the spirited defense of 
the President and his wife made by Secretary 
Whiting had the effect of putting a stop to the 
general conversation, which was beginning to 
interest Mr. Warham, and from that time to 
the conclusion of the dinner the names of the 
residents of the White House were not men- 
tioned by anyone at the table. 

“I met Senator Walton’s wife at a dinner last 
night,” he said to Miss Mortimer. “I was 


32 


Around the Throne. 


much surprised; she is so very different from 
the first Mrs. Walton, whom I knew several 
years ago. Who was she before her marriage ? 
I do not recall that I ever heard.” 

Miss Mortimer smiled and glanced across the 
table at Mrs. Branch, who said : 

“What did you think of her, Mr. Warham? 
Tell me, and then I will tell you all about her, 
for Miss Mortimer seems unwilling to do so.” 

“Well, to be frank with you,” said Mr. War- 
ham, “I never was more astonished in my life 
than when I was introduced to her. I have 
known Walton for ever so long, and his first 
wife was one of the most refined, high-bred 
women I ever knew. The Mrs. Walton I met 
last night, however, looked just like a cook or 
housemaid dressed in her mistress’ clothes, and 
acted precisely as I should have expected a cook 
to do under such circumstances.” 

“That is exactly what she was. Senator 
Walton married his cook, and now expects 
everybody to receive her just as they did his 
first wife,” said Mrs. Branch. 

“Do you know I really feel sorry for her,” 


Around the Throne. 


33 


said Miss Mortimer. “She is an excellent 
woman in her way, and I am sure would 
greatly prefer to remain at home to going out 
to dinners and other places, where she feels so 
out of place. But Senator Walton is deter- 
mined that all those who profess to be his 
friends shall recognize her, and treat his wife 
as an equal in every respect. He, therefore, 
insists on her going wherever he goes. We 
expected them here tonight, but at the last hour 
they sent excuses. She confided to me once, 
at a reception at the British Embassy, that she 
was in misery and did not know what to do 
next. I remained with her throughout the 
evening, and her gratitude was so great that 
she almost shed tears when we parted, and Sen- 
ator Walton took both my hands in his and 
thanked me in the most feeling way. To tell 
the truth, I really enjoyed the time with Mrs. 
Walton more than I should had I passed it in 
the usual way. Her comments on the people 
were very amusing and her shrewd way of 
speaking about them was very refreshing, after 
listening to the kind of talk one is accustomed 
to hear in such places.” 


34 


Around the Throne. 


Mr. Warham and Mrs. Branch both heard 
Miss Mortimer with much surprise. They were 
accustomed to consider her a cynical, bright 
society woman, and neither had ever suspected 
her of so much real kindness of heart as her 
action toward Mrs. Walton indicated. They 
were about to express their surprise in words, 
when the hostess arose from the table, the din- 
ner having been concluded, and indicated to 
her guests that it was time for them to get ready 
to go to the ball at the Russian Embassy, an 
event which was looked upon as the real culmi- 
nation of the social season. As they arose from 
the table Mr. Warham found time to let Miss 
Mortimer understand what he thought, as he 
said, “Your action was very noble and I greatly 
honor you for it. It has given me an entirely 
new view of your character.” 


Around the Throne. 


35 


CHAPTER III. 

AT THE RUSSIAN EMBASSY THE BALL. 

The distinguished diplomat, Prince Canta- 
koff, stood with the Princess, his wife, at one 
side of the grand drawing room of the Em- 
bassy, receiving the guests, most of whom had 
already arrived when those who had dined with 
Judge and Mrs. Mortimer entered, and were 
duly announced by the official of the household 
whose duty it was to perform that ceremony. 
Mr. Warham, who had never met his host and 
hostess before, came in with Miss Mortimer, 
and, as they were the last of the party, Miss 
Mortimer introduced Mr. Warham, who was 
received with great cordiality by both the dis- 
tinguished personages. They were about to 
pass on, when Prince Cantakoff said : 

“Mr. Warham, permit me to thank you again 
for the excellent and remarkably just article 
you have written regarding my country and 


36 Around the Throne. 

its government. It is so rare for anything 
favorable to Russia to be published in this 
country that we are bound to take notice of 
such matters when truth and justice, and not 
prejudice, are manifest in the work of the 
writer. It may interest you to know that the 
article in question has been translated and 
will be published in the leading papers of St. 
Petersburg when it reaches there, if that has 
not already been done.” 

Miss Mortimer looked up in surprise, and 
said : 

“I was not aware that Mr. Warham had 
written anything concerning Russia. Please 
tell me about it.” The Prince said : 

“Some weeks ago a leading paper published 
a series of articles on Russia, which for bitter- 
ness of vituperation and falsity of statement 
excelled anything I ever read. Immediately 
thereafter a reply was published, presenting the 
truth in a calm and dignified style, which car- 
ried conviction on its face. I was so much 
pleased, as well as surprised, that I at once sent 
one of my secretaries to learn, if possible, the 


Around the Throne. 


37 


name of the author. To my great satisfaction 
I found that Mr. Warham, who had visited 
Russia and had learned there to understand our 
government and people, was the writer. I at 
once dispatched to him, by one of my secre- 
taries, a letter thanking him in the name of my 
master, the Tsar. I am sure his Imperial Maj- 
esty will himself take some notice of the arti- 
cle, which I have had forwarded to him. Had 
I known you were in Washington, I should 
have done myself the honor to call before this. 
If you are to be here tomorrow, I will do so 
then. Believe me, there is no one present to- 
night whom the Princess and myself are more 
delighted to see than you. Before you return 
to your home, we shall esteem it an honor to 
have you dine with us.” 

While this conversation was taking place a 
large number of guests had entered to pay their 
respects to their host and hostess, but they were 
kept waiting and no announcement of their 
presence was made until the Prince had con- 
cluded what he had to say, when he bowed to 
Mr. Warham and Miss Mortimer, and they 


38 


Around the Throne. 


walked to the other side of the room, where 
Mrs. Branch and several others were waiting 
with ill-concealed impatience to learn, as the 
Speaker’s lady said, “What it was all about.” 
Miss Mortimer explained, and Mrs. Branch 
said : 

“Now, Mr. Warham, you must prolong your 
stay in Washington, at least until after you 
dine with the Prince, for I am sure he will 
invite both Miss Mortimer and myself to meet 
you, and, as we have never dined here, we are 
anxious to do so. They say his dinners are 
really superb, so promise to remain over on our 
account.” 

Mr. Warham promised to do so, provided the 
time did not extend beyond the following week. 
Just then the entry of more guests attracted 
their attention and took their minds away from 
the above subject. 

“Good heavens, who are those people paying 
their respects? Are they really invited guests, 
or are they some freaks that have wandered 
in?” said Mr. Warham, calling on the ladies to 
look at the persons indicated by what he said. 


Around the Throne. 39 

An elderly woman of large size and stout 
figure, accompanied by five others, ranging in 
age from about twelve to thirty-five years, were 
talking to the Prince and Princess in a tone 
which could be heard in all parts of the room. 
She was evidently explaining who the other 
females were and preparing the host and hostess 
for an introduction. The woman was expen- 
sively dressed, but without any evidence of 
taste, while the others looked as if they had just 
come from some Western town, and their 
clothes wore all the marks of having been made 
by a country dressmaker, after a style in vogue 
three or four years before. They looked com- 
fortable and prosperous, and were to all appear- 
ances thoroughly satisfied with themselves, evi- 
dently being members of the “first families” in 
the rural locality where they lived. But they 
were so utterly lacking in style, and were so 
incongruous with their surroundings, that they 
were the object of attention to everyone 
present. 

“That is the wife of the Secretary of Agri- 
culture, or rather the lady of the Secretary of 


40 


Around the Throne. 


Agriculture, as she calls herself, and the others 
are her daughters and nieces from the Western 
town which is the home of the Secretary,” said 
Mrs. Branch. 

“They are called the ‘County Fair’ here 
in Washington. Wherever that good woman 
goes she takes the whole crowd, and their self- 
confident greenness and their evident satisfac- 
tion at their position and right to be everywhere 
are the source of more amusement than any- 
thing else here this winter, except, perhaps, the 
relatives of the President, who are running 
them a close race for the prize as the leading 
vaudevillists of the social season,” said Miss 
Mortimer. 

Having finished the introductions, the Secre- 
tary’s wife spied Mrs. Branch and Miss Mor- 
timer and their party, and immediately mar- 
shaled her crowd across the room to where they 
were standing. Mutual introductions followed, 
greatly to the amusement of Mr. Warham, who 
was delighted to encounter this not unusual 
phase of Washington society. 

“You see,” said she, “my daughters and my 


Around the Throne. 4 1 

nieces have never met a real princess in their 
lives, so I determined to bring them here to- 
night. I told the Princess why I had so many 
people with me, and said that I hoped she 
would not mind it, and I must say she was very 
cordial. Why, she seemed delighted to see 
them, and asked us to come again, and also to 
come to her next afternoon reception. The 
Prince, too, was very nice, and we all think him 
the most agreeable gentleman we ever met. He 
was just as easy with us as if he had known 
us all our lives. It will be something for the 
girls to talk about when they get back to the 
West” 

At this juncture the number of people in the 
room made a considerable crowd, and Mr. War- 
ham and Miss Mortimer became separated 
from the others, so they failed to hear any more 
of the talk in which the ladies of the “County 
Fair” were the chief participants. 

“Let us go to the ballroom,” said Miss Mor- 
timer. “You see I am familiar with the house 
and will act as Cicerone.” 

“And if you will honor me, we can join the 


42 


Around the Throne. 


dancers/’ said Mr. Warham. “Although I have 
not danced for four or five years, I am very 
fond of it,” and Miss Mortimer assenting, they 
were soon whirling around with those who 
were enjoying the excellent floor of the ball- 
room. After a quarter of an hour thus passed 
they ceased, and in a short time were seated 
near a party of dowagers who were watching 
the dancers from one end of the room. Mrs. 
Branch was among the number, and, seeing 
them, she at once came to where they were. 

“Mr. Warham,” she said, “I saw the Princess 
after you came to the ballroom, and she is 
going to give a dinner in your honor the day 
after tomorrow, if that will suit your conven- 
ience. What you wrote in defense of Russia 
has evidently made a deep impression, for both 
she and the Prince spoke of it to me, and said 
they were particularly anxious to show their 
appreciation.” 

“I only did what I thought was right,” said 
Mr. Warham. “The articles to which I replied 
were so full of error and prejudice that no hon- 
est man who was acquainted with the facts, as 


Around the Throne. 43 

I was, could remain silent. But there is Senator 
Walton, whom I wish to see, so if you will 
excuse me for a few minutes, I shall return.” 

“Mrs. Walton is here somewhere,” said Mrs. 
Branch. “I caught a glimpse of her as I came 
in the ballroom.” 

“She is sitting alone near the window,” said 
Miss Mortimer, who saw her at that moment. 
“As she looks lonesome, Mrs. Branch, let us 
join her. You will find us there, Mr. War- 
ham.” 

Mr. Warham joined Senator Walton, who 
looked worried, but was glad to see him. He 
said : 

“Have you seen Mrs. Walton ? I have been 
looking everywhere for her?” 

“She is sitting on the other side of the room. 
Mrs. Branch and Miss Mortimer started to join 
her just as I came over to you,” said Mr. War- 
ham. 

“I am very glad of that,” said the Senator. 
“She will not have a dull time while they are 
with her, for whatever else they may be, they 
are the most entertaining women in Washing- 
ton. Both have sharp tongues and are said to 


44 


Around the Throne. 


be the most dreaded people in society, but Miss 
Mortimer has been so very kind to Mrs. Walton 
that we both love her. Mrs. Branch is reported 
to be ill-natured, and I must confess that she 
likes to say nasty things about people; but she 
generally tells the truth, which in regard to 
many people is never especially agreeable.” 

“Miss Mortimer is certainly not ill-natured,” 
said Mr. Warham. “She no doubt says many 
sharp things about people, and perhaps is some- 
times rather severe in her remarks, but I do not 
believe either she or Mrs. Branch are spiteful 
unless they have good reason to be so. Even 
in the midst of their criticisms they intersperse 
pleasant things in regard to the people they are 
discussing.” 

The Senator and Mr. Warham talked quietly 
together for several minutes about certain busi- 
ness matters which had brought the latter to 
Washington, finally making an appointment 
for the next day. As soon as they had finished, 
they joined Mrs. Walton and the other ladies. 
Not long afterward they took their leave and 
went to their several homes, Mr. Warham 
going to his hotel. 


Around the Throne. 


45 


CHAPTER IV. 

THE CABINET DAY RECEPTIONS. 

The day following the ball at the Russian 
•Embassy was what is known in Washington 
society as “Cabinet Day,” that is, the day on 
which the ladies of the members of the Presi- 
dent’s official family are “at home” to callers. 
It is generally one of the busiest days in the 
entire week to those who are in the social swim 
at the Capital, and the houses of those who are 
receiving are crowded with men and women of 
all grades of official life, together with many 
who are either permanent residents of Wash- 
ington or else are sojourning there for the sea- 
son, in order to partake of its round of festive 
gayeties. 

In accordance with an engagement made the 
previous day, Mr. Warham called for Miss 
Mortimer and Mrs. Branch at the residence of 
the latter at 3 P. M., in order to accompany 


46 Around the Throne. 

them in their calls at the houses of the Cabinet 
ladies. He found them ready, and entering 
the carriage which he had taken for that pur- 
pose, in a very few moments they were at the 
house of Secretary Barrett, where they found 
the Secretary’s wife and two daughters, to- 
gether with a party of ladies from Baltimore, 
“lined up” in due form, to receive the guests, 
among whom they were the first to arrive. 

The large drawing room of the house was 
connected with the hall, dining room and 
library by sliding doors, all of which were wide 
open, together forming practically one very 
large room, which was admirably adapted for 
the receptions and entertainments which form 
such a great part of Washington social life. 
The mansion, which had been built by a West- 
ern millionaire as a winter residence, had been 
leased by Secretary Barrett when he came to 
the Capital to take his position in the Cabinet, 
and was one of the centers of the official society 
connected with the administration. Entertain- 
ing was carried on by Mrs. Barrett and her 
daughters with no stinted hand, as the Secre- 


Around the Throne. 47 

tary was one of the richest members of the 
Cabinet, and both the host and hostess were 
extremely popular with all classes of society, 
owing to their affable manners and the court- 
eous and whole-hearted way in which they wel- 
comed all who entered their doors. Their 
wealth and high social position gave them a 
thoroughly established status, not only in their 
own home in the Northern city where they had 
passed their lives in great part, but also in their 
temporary home in Washington. They treated 
all with equal courtesy, hospitality and exqui- 
site taste, and, what is more rarely found, mar- 
velous tact. They never made any ostentatious 
display of their entertainments, but all were 
managed with such simplicity that the humblest 
clerk or private secretary did not feel at all out 
of place when present in their rooms, but on the 
contrary was treated with quite as much con- 
sideration as a Senator or other person of 
equally high official position of any sort. 

In the dining room were several ladies who 
were assisting the hostess in her duties. One 
presided at the tea urn, another at the coffee 


48 


Around the Throne. 


urn, while others had charge of the punch 
bowls and different sorts of refreshments which 
are usually served on such occasions. The tout 
ensemble presented by the spacious rooms was 
brilliant and beautiful, the elegant and rich" cos- 
tumes of the ladies, together with the many 
handsome and graceful figures of those present, 
forming an artistic picture against the dark 
background of palms and other luxuriant plants 
with which the house was decorated in every 
part. Lights were furnished by lamps, softly 
shaded, and in a recess formed by one corner 
of the library a band of musicians was con- 
cealed, which played during the entire recep- 
tion. 

After paying their respects to the hostess and 
receiving party, Mrs. Branch, Miss Mortimer 
and Mr. Warham went into the dining room. 
As the two ladies were acquainted with those 
in charge there, Mr. Warham was introduced, 
and all were soon engaged in animated conver- 
sation. After about five minutes passed in this 
way the rooms began to fill with great rapidity, 
and Miss Mortimer said : 


Around the Throne. 49 

“Now, Mr. Warham, Mrs. Branch and I are 
at your service, and remember there are several 
other places to go, and we must be at home at 
half-past six to dress for the dinner at Senator 
Storman’s. So whenever you are ready, we 
can take our leave.” 

“It is really so delightful here that I should 
like to remain the rest of the afternoon,” said 
Mr. Warham. “But before we go let us walk 
through the house, so that I can see what celeb- 
rities are here, and also if there are any curios 
among them.” 

By this time the number of guests was quite 
large, and men and women, old, young and 
middle-aged, were coming and going, some 
leisurely, while others were apparently in great 
haste, in order to get around to as many places 
as possible during the short hours of the day 
devoted to such work. 

A large portion of those on hand were known 
to Mrs. Branch and Miss Mortimer, and sev- 
eral stopped to exchange greetings with them, 
or else engage in a few words of conversation. 
One party, composed of a stout, vigorous lady, 


50 


Around the Throne. 


with iron-gray hair, a loud voice ‘and two 
daughters, who were younger counterparts of 
their mother, were introduced to Mr. Warham 
as Mrs. Norton and the Misses Norton. The 
elderly lady said : 

“If you are hungry, let me advise you to get 
all you want to eat before you leave this house. 
I have been to two Cabinet receptions already 
this afternoon, and I assure you that you will 
find nothing but slops at both places, and I know 
that at the other houses the same frightful situ- 
ation will confront all visitors. In fact, Mrs. 
Barrett is the only Cabinet woman in this ad- 
ministration who has any regard for the gnaw- 
ing stomachs of her callers on reception days. 
So if you are hungry (and I am sure I am half 
starved, and so are the girls), you had better 
fill up before you go anywhere else today. 
Why, at the Whitings, and you know how rich 
they are, they have absolutely nothing but the 
weakest sort of tea and thin crackers and cakes 
— the whole lot of refreshments, I will venture 
to say, not costing over five dollars, while at 
the Secretary of Agriculture’s, in addition to 


Around the Throne. 51 

the tea and crackers, they have home-made 
sponge cakes as heavy as lead, and, would you 
believe it, pink lemonade, which makes you 
think of the circus. But the Agricultural peo- 
ple are poor, and the Secretary and his wife 
are both prohibitionists and come from a cold- 
water constituency. So take my advice and 
eat your fill before you leave this house, or else 
you will be ravenous by the time you get home.” 

“Mrs. Whiting says she does not believe in 
refreshments at these receptions,” said Mrs. 
Branch. “She told me that she was opposed 
to the whole system of furnishing food and 
drink for people to stuff themselves with when 
they called at her house. She thinks that intel- 
lectual conversation should take the place of 
eating on such occasions.” 

“She does, indeed !” said Mrs. Norton sneer- 
ingly. “She will change her mind when she 
has been longer in Washington. Look at Mrs. 
Barrett's receptions. Why, they are always 
crowded by the best people in town, while Mrs. 
Whiting’s rooms are deserted. Most of the 
people who go there send in their cards and 


52 


Around the Throne. 


drive away, while everybody comes here and 
stays until the last minute. What is the rea- 
son? Mrs. Barrett gives her guests plenty to 
eat, while Mrs. Whiting expects them to feed 
on intellectual conversation. Forsooth, what 
nonsense ! But she will get over it by and by. 
Come, girls, let us go to the dining room, or I 
shall faint from sheer starvation. Good by, my 
dears! good by, Mr. Warham. Will see you 
at the Storman’s dinner tonight/’ and bowing, 
she led her two younger counterparts to the 
refreshment tables. 

“You were looking for curios, Mr. War- 
ham,” said Miss Mortimer. “What do you 
think of the one who has just left us? Will 
she form a part of your literary museum ?” 

“She certainly will be made one of the lead- 
ing exhibits,” said he, as they took their places 
in the carriage, to be driven to the residence of 
the Secretary of Agriculture, where they were 
to make their next call. “Pray, tell me some- 
thing about her, for she looked interesting. I 
have often heard of her husband, Senator Nor- 
ton, but never of his wife.” 


Around the Throne. 53 

“She is rather remarkable in her way/’ said 
Mrs. Branch. “She is several years older than 
her husband, and has passed all her life in 
Washington. Her first husband was a clerk in 
one of the departments, who died about the 
close of the war, leaving her without any means 
whatever. She at once opened a boarding- 
house, and among those who boarded with her 
was a young clerk connected with one of the 
branches of the Government, who married her 
within a year. Later he lost his place and took 
his family to his native State, where he entered 
politics, and before many years had passed was 
back in Washington as one of the Senators, 
where he has lived ever since, having been his 
own successor several times. You will meet 
him tonight at the Storman’s dinner, and can 
there form your judgment of him. He is con- 
sidered one of the ablest men in public life, and 
is a leader of his party. ” 

The residence of the Secretary of Agricul- 
ture, where the next call was made, while it was 
situated in a fashionable quarter of the town, 
was a modest dwelling with rather small rooms, 


54 Around the Throne. 

and was a decided contrast to the almost pala- 
tial establishment of the Barretts. No attempt 
was made at display of any sort, and it was 
apparent to the visitor on entering that not long 
before a placard, containing the words “fur- 
nished house to let,” had hung in the window, 
and that the rental had been the main consid- 
eration with the present tenants when they took 
the lease and moved in. Everything — carpets, 
chairs, pictures and other furnishings — told 
louder than words that the whole establishment 
was one of the contract affairs which abound 
in all parts of Washington, and which are built 
and furnished for the express purpose of sup- 
plying temporary homes for Government offi- 
cials, who may be compelled to reside at the 
Capital for longer or shorter periods. The fur- 
niture was all “regulation” in style and com- 
mon in make-up and material. Even the pic- 
tures on the wall and the ornaments and bric- 
a-brac on the mantels and tables were “regula- 
tion” and cheap looking, and the wall paper and 
carpets were in keeping with them. 


Around the Throne. 55 

The hostess and the ladies who were “receiv- 
ing” with her harmonized well with their sur- 
roundings, and what Mrs. Branch called the 
“Western country town air” was present in the 
hall, the drawing-room and in the dining-room 
at the rear. The hostess herself stood stiffly in 
front of the mantel, and at her side were her 
daughters and “nieces from the West,” dressed 
in nondescript costumes, which looked as if 
they were made at home by a village dress- 
maker who went out sewing by the day or week, 
and there was a glaring lack of style about the 
whole party, which was all the more apparent 
in contrast with the elegance and ease of their 
guests. 

The entrance of Mr. Warham and the two 
ladies was greeted with pleasure by the hostess 
and the others of her receiving party, all of 
whom expressed their “happiness at meeting 
them again.” The hostess said : 

“I am delighted that you have come in, and 
I hope that you will remain some time, for, 
with two or three exceptions, you are the only 
people who have entered the house since three 


56 


Around the Throne. 


o’clock. Carriage after carriage has driven up 
to the door, but nearly all the occupants have 
done no more than send in their cards by a 
servant, and then have gone off without coming 
in. I do not like it. I don’t care what the rules 
are, I think it very bad manners to call at a 
house where you know they are receiving, and 
then leave a card and go away. Here I have 
my nieces and some other ladies from out of 
town with me, and they are so disappointed that 
they are almost ready to cry because no one 
comes, and my daughters are in despair because 
it looks as if we are not popular with the peo- 
ple who go out, and that they avoid us. I know 
we do not live in such style as some of the other 
members of the Cabinet family, but then we 
are just as glad to see our friends and acquaint- 
ances as they are, and do our best, in our 
humble way, to be agreeable to them.” 

Mr. Warham was really sorry for the good 
lady and her family, and Miss Mortimer was 
much affected by what had been said. She 
turned to Mrs. Branch, as they were entering 
the dining room, and whispered to her : 


Around the Throne. 57 

“Let us remain a short time, for if more 
callers come to the door they will inquire of 
the coachman, and when they find that we are 
here they may come in instead of merely send- 
ing in their cards. I really feel very sorry for 
these poor women; they are evidently so dis- 
appointed/’ 

Mrs. Branch signified her assent to the prop- 
osition, as did Mr. Warham, who was again 
pleased at this additional manifestation of kind- 
ness of heart on the part of Miss Mortimer. As 
soon as they were in the dining-room, the 
hostess entered, there being no guests in the 
drawing room to detain her there. She said : 

“You are very kind to stay, for I want yon 
to know this young lady at the tea urn, Miss 
Mauton, who is going to be here all winter. 
She has been teaching for the past three years, 
and was obliged to rest, and so I asked her to 
come to Washington, as otherwise she would 
have been obliged to remain in a boarding- 
house in our Western town. She is very mod- 
est and hard to get acquainted with, but we 
all like her very much, and my girls are devoted 


58 Around the Throne. 

to her.” She then introduced them to the per- 
son mentioned, and returned to the other room, 
as a ring at the door announced other callers. 

Miss Mauton’s looks surprised them ver y 
much. She was a slight, graceful girl, who 
appeared much younger than she really was; 
but her chief attractions were a great mass of 
dark, copper-red hair, large brown eyes, and a 
soft musical voice, without the slightest trace 
of Western accent. In fact, she was so unde- 
niably a great beauty that Mrs. Branch said 
with some enthusiasm, if without much 
tact : 

“My dear, where have you been this winter ? 
I certainly have never seen you before. You 
should have been at the Russian Embassy last 
night, for you would undoubtedly have borne 
off the palm as the handsomest woman pres- 
ent.” 

“I only reached Washington yesterday after- 
noon,” said Miss Mauton, blushing deeply, and 
at the same time smiling at Mrs. Branch’s evi- 
dent astonishment at her looks. “They wanted 
me to go, but I was very tired, and beside that, 


Around the Throne. 59 

I thought the party from here was quite large 
enough.” 

“Well,” said Miss Mortimer, “you must not 
hide yourself any more, for everybody in the 
town will be glad to see you and make you 
welcome.” 

After remaining with the ladies in the dining- 
room a short time, they returned to the draw- 
ing-room. When she went to the hostess, Mrs. 
Branch said : 

“The people who left their cards, my dear, 
and did not come in, will be very sorry when 
they learn that they missed seeing that girl, who 
will be the great craze of the season when she 
shows herself. Why, Miss Mauton is by all 
odds the most beautiful girl in town, and your 
receptions will be more crowded from now to 
the close of the season. All the men will go 
mad over her. You should bring her out here, 
where she can be seen to better advantage.” 

“Do you think her handsome ?” said the eld- 
est daughter of the hostess. “I am glad, for I 
have always thought so, but she hates her hair 
because it is red. She is as good and accom- 
plished, too, as she is beautiful.” 


6o 


Around the Throne. 


“I only wonder that some man has not car- 
ried her off before this, ,? said Miss Mortimer. 
“Are the young men in your town blind, that 
they have allowed her to escape them ?” 

“No; she is engaged to a young Presby- 
terian divinity student, who expects to be or- 
dained next summer, when they will be mar- 
ried. They have been engaged ever since they 
were boy and girl together at the public school.’ * 

“That will never do,” said Mrs. Branch. 
“Such a magnificent girl must never be allowed 
to throw herself away on a country preacher. 
Why, she will have half the men in Washing- 
ton at her feet before a month, and can have her 
pick of the lot.” 

“The Russian Ambassador and the Princess 
Cantakoff,” announced the servant at the door, 
and the entrance of these distinguished person- 
ages caused something of a flutter and put a 
stop to the conversation. 

After they had paid their respects to the re- 
ceiving party, the Princess left her husband, 
and, crossing the room to where Mr. Warham 
and the two ladies stood, said : 


Around the Throne. 


6i 


“Mr. Warham, this call is really to you, and 
had not the coachman informed us that you 
were here when we reached the door, we should 
have left our cards and driven elsewhere. But 
I wished to see you myself, and intended send- 
ing you a note asking you to call on me, in- 
formally, tomorrow morning at ten, or later if 
it suits your convenience better. I have some- 
thing the Prince and I are particularly anxious 
for you to see.” 

Mr. Warham expressed his pleasure at the 
prospective honor, and said he would be at the 
Embassy at the time desired. Just then the 
Prince joined them, after shaking hands he said 
to his wife: 

“Mrs. Branch tells me that a great surprise 
awaits all the guests in the dining-room. I 
know you did not intend to go there, but per- 
haps you will, in order to see what the partic- 
ular surprise may be.” The Princess indicated 
her acquiescence, and, led by Mrs. Branch, they 
went to the other room, while Miss Mortimer 
and Mr. Warham remained talking with the 
hostess. 


62 


Around the Throne. 


A large number of callers had by this time 
entered the rooms, which were quite full. The 
hostess was beaming with pleasure at the suc- 
cess of her “at home,” that day, and said to 
Miss Mortimer : 

“My dear, I believe your remaining here has 
caused these people to come in, instead of fol- 
lowing their usual practice of leaving their 
cards and going away, for I notice they all look 
for you as soon as they speak to me. I always 
understood you were popular, and now I know 
it. I am very, very much indebted to you, for 
this is the only really successful day we have 
had since we came to Washington. I am espe- 
cially pleased on account of my nieces, for they 
would have been disappointed beyond words 
had only a few come in. I know the Prince and 
Princess would not have dreamed of entering 
had not you and Mr. Warham been here, so I 
must thank him also.” 

Both the persons addressed deprecated any 
such views, and expressed their pleasure at re- 
maining so long. Just then the Prince and 
Princess and Mrs. Branch came from the din- 
ing-room. The Prince said : 


Around the Throne. 


63 


“Miss Mauton is undoubtedly the most beau- 
tiful girl I ever saw, and she seems as intelligent 
and good as she is lovely. Let me congratulate 
you, Madam, on having such a guest.” The 
Princess also expressed her admiration for Miss 
Mauton. The hostess manifested her appreci- 
ation of what they had said, after which they 
made their adieux, going out together. When 
they reached the sidewalk, Mrs- Branch said : 

“That girl will be the rage of Washington 
in less than a week. I only hope the adulation 
and flattery she will receive will not turn her 
head. She seems modest and sensible enough 
now, however, and totally unconscious of her 
great beauty.” 

“I intend to send invitations to these people 
to our dinner in your honor tomorrow night, 
Mr. Warham,” said the Princess. “I had no 
idea of inviting any of them, but I want to 
have that girl there, just to see what effect she 
will have on Monsieur le Marquis de Corbieu, 
of the French Embassy, who is always raving 
over red hair. I hope, dear Mrs. Branch, you 
will use your good offices with them so that 


6 4 


Around the Throne. 


they will be certain to bring her along. I shall 
only invite the mother and one of the daugh- 
ters, in addition to Miss Mauton.” 

“I shall call in the morning, dear Princess, 
and see to it,” said Mrs. Branch. “1 shall sug- 
gest what she ought to wear, for the more sim- 
ply she is dressed, the better she will look. I, 
too, am curious to see the effect she will have 
on some of the gentlemen who will be there, 
especially Senator Borough, who is too young 
and rich to be such a confirmed woman hater. 
The girl will be a revelation to Washington, 
and the 'Lady of the Secretary of Agriculture’ 
will have no reason to complain of lack of 
guests at her receptions if she only can keep her 
here. I pity that poor divinity student out 
West, to whom she is engaged. I would not 
give a farthing for his chance of getting her, if 
she remains here a month.” And saying cm 
revoir, they entered their carriage and were 
driven off. 


Around the Throne. 


65 


CHAPTER V. 

THE DINNER AT THE RUSSIAN EMBASSY. 

The dinner at the Russia# Embassy, at 
which Mr. Warham was the guest of honor, 
came off at the time specified. It was one of 
the largest social functions of the entire season, 
and the newspapers of the Capital devoted con- 
siderable space to the event, giving detailed 
accounts of Mr. Warham, who he was, and 
why he was so honored, together with a lot of 
imaginary stories about his adventures in Rus- 
sia, in one of which he was called “an intimate 
personal friend of the Czar, whose life he had 
saved from a Nihilist assassin.” Another story, 
which did not appear until the next day, how- 
ever, in mentioning the guests at the dinner, 
said that it was “authoritatively reported that 
Mr. Warham and Miss Mortimer are engaged 
and will be married in the spring.” All the 
papers devoted much space to an account of 


66 


Around the Throne. 


“Miss Mauton, the new beauty from the West, 
who is the guest of the Secretary of Agricul- 
ture and Mrs. Dixon, and whose appearance at 
the Embassy dinner created such a sensation 
among the guests.” In fact, so great was the 
interest taken in Miss Mauton in the newspaper 
offices, that before noon at least a dozen re- 
porters, male and female, had called on poor 
Mrs. Dixon, who had not even read the papers, 
and asked for Miss Mauton’s photograph, of 
which, fortunately, she had no copy. 

The guests were nearly all assembled in the 
drawing room of the Embassy when the “party 
from the West,” as Mrs. Branch characterized 
it, arrived, among whom was Miss Mauton. 
Her entrance caused something of a sensation, 
especially in the minds of several dark-haired 
foreigners from the Legations who were pres- 
ent, as she was entirely unknown and but few 
of those present had ever seen her. The Mar- 
quis de Corbieu was especially struck, and im- 
mediately went into enthusiastic raptures over 
her “glorious hair and complexion” to Mrs. 
Branch and the other ladies with whom he was 


Around the Throne. 67 

engaged in conversation. The Marquis was a 
small man, who was noted for having the most 
delicately tiny feet and hands and the fiercest 
black moustaches in Washington. 

Miss Mauton was simply dressed in a white 
Mousseline de sole, plainly made, with a narrow 
fichu of lace around her neck. She was without 
jewels of any sort, and the only thing in the 
way of ornament about her was a bunch of vio- 
lets at her throat and a large white rosebud in 
her hair, which was gathered in a knot at the 
back of her head. In the full glare of the large 
drawing-room her beauty shone to great ad- 
vantage, and the mass of her dark red hair 
looked like highly burnished copper under the 
gas, as she stood before the Princess, who was 
even more impressed by her striking beauty 
than she had been when she saw her in the 
dimly lighted rooms of Mrs. Dixon. Every 
one present gazed on her in astonishment, and 
Mrs. Branch said in a low tone to those who 
were near her : 

“She is even more magnificent than I imag- 
ined. Undoubtedly, she is the most beautiful 


68 


Around the Throne. 


woman I ever saw, and would shine resplendent 
wherever she might be. I am heartily glad I 
discovered her.” 

“Who is she ?” said the Marquis in a whisper, 
and several others echoed the question. 

“She is a schoolteacher from the West, who 
is visiting Mrs. Dixon,” was the reply, and 
Mrs. Branch told how she, in company with 
Miss Mortimer and Mr. Warham, had discov- 
ered her. 

“She need never teach again,” said the Mar- 
quis. “I would gladly marry her tomorrow, 
were she in rags, begging on the street. Such 
beauty as that would startle every court in 
Europe.” 

“You will have no chance, Marquis,” said 
Miss Mortimer. “She will be married in the 
spring to a country minister, to whom she has 
been engaged for several years.” 

“A country clergyman to get such a glorious 
creature as that, and bury her in the West! 
Never, if I can prevent it !” was the reply. 

While this conversation was taking place. 
Miss Mauton stood at one end of the room with 


Around the Throne. 69 

the Princess and the wife of the English Am- 
bassador, to whom she had just been intro- 
duced. She appeared entirely unconscious of 
the sensation her appearance had created, and 
was replying to the remarks addressed to her 
in a low, soft tone, entirely devoid of the usual 
Western twang, which was so noticeable in the 
voices of Mrs. Dixon and her daughter, who 
were with her, and who exhibited some slight 
trepidation at their surroundings. She after- 
ward said, in describing her sensations, that 
she felt as if she was on the stage at a school 
exhibition, and that her apparent unconscious- 
ness of her unusual surroundings was entirely 
due to the self-control she had learned as a 
schoolteacher, when engaged in conducting a 
public examination or managing the annual 
exhibition. She really was anxious to rush 
from the room, and would have been thankful 
had the floor opened and swallowed her out of 
the sight of those present. 

The announcement that dinner was ready to 
be served put a stop to the conversation regard- 
ing Miss Mauton, and the guests, together with 


70 


Around the Throne. 


the host and hostess, were soon seated at the 
table, Mr. Warham as the guest of honor, hav 
ing the privilege of escorting the Princess to 
the dining-room, together with a seat at her 
right. 

“A formal dinner is a sort of a terror to me,” 
said Mrs. Branch to her escort, Senator Bor- 
ough, the wealthy and handsome young mem- 
ber of the Upper House from one of the West- 
ern States. “That is, it is a terror until we are 
safely in the dining-room and seated at the 
table. I hate introductions, and there are al- 
ways a lot of people to whom one must be 
introduced, and such affairs seem stiff and disa- 
greeable. After we are settled at the table, 
however, and know just whom we are to have 
near us, I enjoy it very much, and look upon 
dinners as by far the pleasantest form of enter- 
tainment.” 

“I am glad to find such an experienced diner 
out as you say what I have always felt, but have 
been afraid to express,” said Senator Borough. 
“I thought my extreme dislike to the prelimi- 
naries of a formal dinner arose from lack of 


Around the Throne. 71 

knowledge of social affairs, for before I came 
to Washington I was entirely unacquainted 
with such matters, and had never been present 
at a really formal dinner in my life, and, if I 
may confess it, had never worn, much less 
owned, an evening coat. Two-thirds of the 
invitations I receive, I decline, inventing some 
excuse, or pleading a fictitious engagement, be- 
cause I have such an aversion to meeting people 
whom I do not know. If I had not met you, 
I should not have been here tonight. Please 
tell me why I was invited here, and why you 
made such a point as to my coming? I never 
called here; in fact, I never dared to, for I 
looked upon the Prince and Princess as beings 
of another world, and was much surprised at 
being asked. I was told that I was invited be- 
cause I am a member of the Committee on For- 
eign Relations, and also because I am an ac- 
quaintance of Mr. Warham, in whose honor 
the dinner is given. But I know you are at the 
bottom of it, so confess and ease my mind. The 
reasons above given are too transparently 
absurd to be true.” 


72 


Around the Throne. 


“I must confess, Mr. Borough, that your 
invitation here was due to my request, for I 
was asked by the Princess to help make out 
her list of guests,” said Mrs. Branch. “Some- 
time I may tell you why I was so anxious to 
have you present, but it is too soon to do that, 
and, besides, this is not the proper time or place 
for such a story.” 

“I must be content to wait, I suppose, but I 
am all impatient to know. Yet, as you have 
been present at nearly every place I have been 
since I came to Washington, I shall consider 
it a great favor if you will tell me if I pass mus- 
ter with any credit in society. The truth is, I 
feel very awkward and decidedly ‘green/ if I 
may use such an expression.” 

“You do remarkably well. No one would 
know from your manner that you had not been 
accustomed to good society all your life. You 
appear to have just the proper amount of as- 
surance, and you lack what is one of the most 
disagreeable traits in nearly all Western people 
who come here, that brazen assertion and arro- 
gance, which so many of them assume to cloak 


Around the Throne. 73 

their lack of refinement and savoir faire 
“I am glad to hear you say so, and I thank 
you for your kindness, for you have relieved 
me very much. You see I passed my life until 
a few years ago teaching school and studying 
for the bar. As soon as I was admitted to prac- 
tice I went West, on invitation of an uncle who 
had gone there early in life. I had only been 
there about five years when he died, and left me 
an enormous fortune, which, to tell the truth, I 
have no real use for, because I would rather 
have been allowed to make my own way in the 
world. But I have it, and I suppose must take 
care of it to the best advantage. I look upon 
it, however, as a sort of trust, and was planning 
to build and endow a college, when, to my utter 
surprise, the State Legislature elected me to the 
Senate, a place my poor uncle had been trying 
to secure for ten years, and had always failed. 
I did not want it, and told them so, but I had to 
accept it, for I considered my election as a part 
of the trust left by my uncle. I am beginning 
to like Washington very much, however, and 
suppose by the time my term expires, five years 


74 


Around the Throne. 


hence, I shall be as anxious to be returned as my 
uncle was to get the place.” 

“What do you think of Miss Mauton ?” said 
Mrs. Branch, abruptly changing the subject. 

“She is very handsome, but I do not like red- 
headed women. I admire her very much, but I 
have always been told to beware of women 
with such hair as hers. My old uncle, who was 
a keen observer and much of a philosopher in 
his way, was always warning me to avoid red- 
headed women as I would the plague. He had 
an affair in his younger days with one, and 
while he hated all women, he had an especial 
antipathy to those whose hair had the slightest 
tinge of red in it.” 

“It is strange,” said Mrs. Branch, whose 
hair was dark, “but Mr. Branch has the same 
antipathy. He says, to use his own rather 
strong language, that all the she-devils in his- 
tory were red-headed women, and he strongly 
suspects that Eve was red-headed. He illus- 
trates his theory by saying that Cleopatra, Mes- 
salina, Medea, Clytemnestra, Helen, Jezebel and 
other noted ladies of ancient times were red- 


Around the Throne. 75 

headed, and that nearer our day such notorious 
women as Lucretia Borgia, Madame Brinvil- 
liers, Mary Stuart, Queen Elizabeth, Catherine 
of Russia, not to mention the large number of 
untitled women who have been noted for their 
wickedness, were all red-headed. He has im- 
bued me to such an extent with his prejudice 
on the subject that it is almost impossible for 
me to overcome it, but I believe Miss Mauton 
to be an exception, for I think she is as modest 
and good as she is lovely in looks.” 

“She has perhaps lacked the opportunity to 
be otherwise, having lived all her life in a small 
town, where it is hard to be other than good. 
But my uncle used to tell a story of a man who 
found a girl in New England, a farmer’s 
daughter, who had been brought up in all the 
rigid narrowness of her surroundings. She 
seemed perfect and the man married her. But 
when they had lived together for a year or two, 
she became so thoroughly bad that he was glad 
when she eloped with a handsome street car 
conductor. In telling the story he always con- 
cluded it by saying, ‘she had red hair, and that 


?6 


Around the Throne. 


settled it!’ I have such a strong prejudice 
against red hair, therefore, although I believe 
it to be unreasonable, that while I might admire 
Miss Mauton, I do not believe I could ever 
really like her. I should be afraid of her.” 

“You were speaking of the dislike you had 
to the preliminary introductions to a formal 
dinner.” said the wife of a former American 
Ambassador to Great Britain, who was seated 
across the table from Mrs. Branch. She con- 
tinued : 

“I have always had that feeling, and although 
I have been dining out all my life, I have never 
gotten over it. It was one of my greatest trials 
when abroad, for there I had to go out whether 
I wished to do so or not, and the formal affairs 
on the other side are perfect horrors compared 
with those in this country. There all sorts of 
old, arbitrary rules as to precedence, and other 
things almost innumerable, have to be observed, 
and any violation of them is regarded as some- 
thing dreadful. Here it is otherwise, for while 
we have some rules, they are not many in num- 
ber, and if they are disregarded no one partic- 
ularly cares.” 


Around the Throne. 77 

“What was the most disagreeable thing you 
had to do in England?” asked Mrs. Branch. 

“Pay a state visit to the Queen at Windsor 
Castle,” said the ex-Ambassadress. “When 
you see in the papers that the American Ambas- 
sador and his wife are the guests of the Queen 
at Windsor, rest assured that both are having 
an uncomfortable time. The only moments of 
peace they have are when they are actually in 
the presence of the Queen (who is very pleas- 
ant and not at all impressive) or else are in bed. 
At all other times they are hedged by rules, and 
are being constantly told what to do and what 
not to do, until their heads fairly whirl. The 
first time I was there, one of the maids of honor, 
in giving me instructions, told me how I ought 
to eat, and seemed to think my table manners 
must be in need of correction because I was 
from America. What she said amused me so 
much that I laughed at her, whereupon she be- 
came offended, and candidly said that she had 
been told that all Americans were rude and had 
extremely bad manners. She had only been at 
Windsor for a short time, and I told her that 


78 Around the Throne. 

she ought to remember that many of our people 
were accustomed to good society and knew 
how to behave. She replied that she supposed 
those of us who had been in England long 
enough had learned such things, whereupon I 
laughed at her again. Later, when I was in 
the presence of the Queen, she asked me very 
graciously how I was pleased with a lady who 
was a guest there at the same time, and in the 
course of the conversation that followed I told 
her what her lady-in-waiting had said to me in 
regard to table manners, as I thought it would 
amuse her. On the contrary, she was very in- 
dignant, and I learned later that she gave the 
officious woman a severe scolding for her im- 
pertinence and sent her home, saying that she 
did not propose to have her guests subjected to 
such rudeness, even if it was inflicted by an 
ignorant though high-born maid of honor. I 
was sorry, for the woman meant no harm.” 

“How was the Queen dressed ?” queried Mrs. 
Branch, with pardonable curiosity. 

“The Queen, like most other ladies in Eng- 
land, does not dress. She simply covers her- 


Around the Throne. 


79 


self. One of the reasons, in my opinion, why 
so many Englishmen like American women, is 
because they dress so much more tastefully than 
their own countrywomen. While I was at 
Windsor Castle, and I was there several times, 
I met many of the most exalted ladies in Eng- 
land, and it was the exception rather than the 
rule to find them well dressed. Their clothes 
were expensive, but were ill-fitting and in bad 
taste. The truth is, most English women are 
indifferent as to how they look, and they are 
only covered, never dressed. In my experience, 
the best dressed women in the world are the 
Americans, wherever they may be found, and 
I have seen more well-dressed women in Wash- 
ington and New York than I ever saw in any 
European court, and I am familiar with sev- 
eral.” 

“Have you seen the President’s nieces, Mrs. 
Branch ?” said the wife of a distinguished anti- 
administration Senator, who was seated near 
by and who had been an interested listener to 
the conversation. “They certainly do not come 
under the category of well-dressed women. 


8o 


Around the Throne. 


And the President’s wife — well, like the Queen, 
she is covered, but I have never seen her 
dressed. But then, poor woman, what can be 
expected from one who has been obliged to pass 
all her life in an obscure Western town, where 
there is no society.” 

The ladies who heard these words looked at 
each other and smiled significantly. They un- 
derstood very well that the Senator’s wife was 
simply giving Mrs. Branch a cue, in order to 
hear her express her well-known views about 
the ladies of the White House. The cue was 
taken with eagerness, and the Speaker’s wife 
said : 

“Those girls are the most astonishing crea- 
tures I ever saw. I understand they were 
brought here by the President’s wife to aid her 
in leading society,’ and in one sense they are 
undoubtedly a great success. They amuse us, 
no matter what else they may do, and their 
antics are not only the talk of the town, but 
have even excited New York and other places, 
so that the newspapers have taken them up and 
are publishing daily chronicles of their doings.” 


Around the Throne. 8i 

“What have they done that is so strange?” 
said the former Ambassador’s wife. “I have 
been here so short a time that I have heard 
nothing about them, although I met them a few 
days since at the White House.” 

“They have done so many absurd things that 
it would take too long to tell all. As an in- 
stance, however, the other day several of us 
were at a ladies’ luncheon at Mrs. Barrett’s. 
They were announced, and to the surprise and 
intense amusement of most of us, but to the 
great chagrin of poor Mrs. Barrett and the 
administration crowd, they marched in, togged 
out in their best evening clothes, white slippers, 
decollete shoulders and all — in fact, they were 
extremely decollete, looking more like variety 
actresses out for a supper after the performance 
than anything else. Every woman there, except 
the President’s nieces, wore her bonnet and was 
dressed in the proper style for such an occasion. 
They seemed surprised to see us in such cos- 
tumes, but were evidently determined not to 
show that they realized how absurd they ap- 
peared. Before they went away I understand 


82 


Around the Throne. 


Mrs. Barrett told them that they should not 
dress as if going to a ball when the affair was 
a midday luncheon, but they rather resented 
her advice, and said that in the ‘city’ where they 
lived, ladies always dressed as they did for 
luncheons, and they could see no reason to do 
otherwise because they happened to be in Wash- 
ington. As the 'Court ladies/ they probably 
expect their example to be followed, and here- 
after, or at any rate during this administration, 
Washington must take its style from the fash- 
ionable 'city’ in the West which had the honor 
to furnish the White House with its occu- 
pants.” 

"They look for all the world as if they had 
obtained their clothes for their Washington 
campaign by contract,” said the anti-adminis- 
tration Senator’s wife. "I have observed them 
very closely, and have found out just what they 
have in the way of gowns, now that they are 
beginning to appear in the same thing a second 
time. They have exactly four evening cos- 
tumes and six other costumes, and they change 
about with each other, I am sure, for I saw one 


Around the Throne. 


83 


of them wearing a waist last night that I am 
certain one of the others wore a few nights ago. 
If the President expects them to look well, he 
ought to give them more money for their 
clothes, for I understand they are not rich and 
cannot afford all the costumes they need if they 
are going to lead the fashions here. ,, 

“l beg pardon for asking such a question,” 
said the ex-Ambassador’s wife, “but is it cus- 
tomary to discuss the President's family in this 
rather disrespectful way? You see, I am not as 
familiar with Washington as most of you, and 
nothing has surprised me so much as the way 
people talk, not only about the White House 
set, but about everyone else. It seems to me 
that the greatest part of society here is given 
up to talk of this character. Go where I may, 
I hear nothing else. A day or two ago I was 
calling at the house of an old friend, and sev- 
eral ladies were present who were talking about 
the wife of a prominent Senator. Just then the 
lady under discussion came in, and the con- 
versation was changed and others were picked 
to pieces, and later some of those who were 


8 4 


Around the Throne. 


there when I entered left. They were imme- 
' diately dissected by those remaining, and I have 
no doubt that when I left, which I did very 
soon, I received my share of attention. In my 
early days Washington was not so given up to 
gossip, although I must confess there was at- 
tention paid to it even then. Why, I shall be 
afraid to leave any house where I may be call- 
ing until the last visitor departs, for I have a 
horror of being discussed in such a manner.” 

“You must harden yourself to it and do your 
share,” said Mrs. Branch. “I know I am talked 
about and torn to atoms in nearly every house 
in Washington; in fact, almost every woman is. 
But, gracious, I am used to it, and do my share 
in regard to the others. Why, I look upon gos- 
sip as one of the most enjoyable features of our 
social life here, for very little of it is ill-natured, 
and those who have been here as long as Mrs. 
Norton and I have are so thoroughly used to it 
that everything would be dull without it. There 
are so many new people constantly coming and 
going, society here is so changeable, and there 
is really so much variety in it that it never be- 


Around the Throne. 85 

comes dull. Very few are here more than two 
or three seasons, and while they are here they 
enjoy the luxury of talking about others, and 
furnish subjects of discussion themselves. 
Every four years a new set comes to the White 
House and the Cabinet houses, and for a few 
months after they arrive they are extremely in- 
teresting to those of us whose career here has 
lasted through several administrations. After 
a while they settle down and lose their interest 
for us, and then we have to return to our old 
ways and talk about each other, varied from 
time to time by new arrivals, like yourself, for 
instance. We mean no harm, however, and 
what we say must not be taken too seriously.” 

“But this administration seems to come in 
for more criticism in a social way than any of 
its predecessors for many years. Why is this ?” 

“Because the administration ladies have less 
tact and experience in social affairs, and have 
tried to assume a style of leadership that is ab- 
surd in every respect. They were entirely with- 
out experience, in fact, were totally unfamiliar 
with such matters, and have acted as if the 


86 


Around the Throne. 


social end of the administration could be run 
as if Washington were a town of a few thou- 
sand people. I believe, however, that they are 
beginning to realize that the fact that they were 
prominent in their own little Western town did 
not give them the knowledge necessary to ful- 
fill their present position without help from 
others. Recently there have been signs of 
awakening, and we all hope they may improve.” 

In the meantime the guests at the other end 
of the table, where Mr. Warham was seated 
with the hostess, were talking about Russia 
and Russian matters. Mr. Warham told much 
about his experience in the smaller towns and 
cities of the Empire, describing the people he 
saw there, and giving at some length, at the re- 
quest of the Princess, his reasons for his spir- 
ited defense of the government of the Czar, 
which had brought about the dinner then being 
held in his honor. 

Near the center of the table were seated Miss 
Mauton and the little Marquis. He was cer- 
tainly determined to make an impression on the 
girl, whose beauty had so deeply affected him, 


Around the Throne. 87 

and that he had fallen head over ears in love 
with her was manifest to all who looked at 
them. His air was one of intense devotion, 
manifested in the most extreme politeness, and 
the whole effect was rather ridiculous. When 
he found that Miss Mauton could speak French, 
although it was of the boarding school variety, 
he complimented her on her “Parisian accent,” 
and said that her pronunciation was delightful. 
He monopolized her completely during the 
evening, and at her departure asked permission 
of Mrs. Dixon to call, which that highly de- 
lighted lady was only too willing to grant. 
When the company separated he escorted the 
ladies to their carriage, and as the vehicle drove 
off he pressed his hands to his heart, cast his 
eyes toward the sky and showed every symp- 
tom of collapse, greatly to the amusement of the 
people who had gathered in front of the house 
to see the guests go off. 

But Miss Mauton did not marry the Mar- 
quis, although he proposed several times, and 
for a while she was in doubt what to do. 
Neither did she marry the divinity student in 


88 


Around the Throne. 


the West, to whom she was engaged when she 
came to Washington, but owing to the skillful 
match-making tactics of Mrs. Branch, she be- 
came the wife of Senator Borough within a 
year, and is now the happy mistress of that 
young statesman’s magnificent house in Wash- 
ington. 

Sortly after the engagement was announced, 
Mrs. Branch met Senator Borough and said to 
him : 

“You remember asking me why you were 
invited to that dinner , at the Russian Embassy 
last year, and why I insisted so strongly that 
you should accept the invitation ?” 

“Very distinctly, and I' also remember that 
you promised to explain your reasons to me, 
and have never done so.” 

“I am ready now. I wanted you to meet 
Miss Mauton. I was inspired with the idea 
that she would suit you, and would make an 
excellent wife. I believe she will make you 
happy, notwithstanding her red hair, of which 
you professed such a horror. ‘ She will prove 
the exception to your uncle’s rule that all red- 
headed women are she devils.” 


Around the Throne. 89 

“I am sure of it, and I owe you a debt of 
gratitude for what you have done. I must con- 
fess, though, that her hair made me hesitate a 
long time before asking her, but I became more 
and more in love every time I saw her, espe- 
cially when it became the talk of Washington 
that she was going to marry that absurd French 
Marquis. What has become of him ?” 

“I saw him the other day. He was so heart- 
broken that I really felt sorry for him. He has 
resigned his position at the French Embassy 
and intends to go home next week. He says 
he must put the ocean between himself and you^ 
or else he will not be responsible for what he 
does. He is very much in love ; but French love 
does not last long, so he will soon recover. I 
hope, however, that you may not meet him 
when you go abroad next summer. Au revoir” 


9 o 


Around the Throne. 


CHAPTER VI. 

AT THE WHITE HOUSE THE RECEPTION. 

The White House was ablaze with light and 
the Marine Band was filling the air with the 
delightful notes of a Straus waltz, when the 
carriage containing Mr. Warham and Miss 
Mortimer, the Speaker and Mrs. Branch, 
reached the main entrance. The occasion was 
the farewell reception of the season at the Pres- 
idential Mansion, and the “Lady of the White 
Plouse” had determined to make it the most 
brilliant social event that had ever taken place 
within the historic edifice, and, it was said, had 
triumphantly made that anouncement to her 
friends. Consequently, Mr. Warham had 
gladly delayed his departure for a few days, in 
order, as Mrs. Branch said, to see “the Ameri- 
can King and Queen in all their glory, in full 
war paint and feathers.” In his desire to see 
“the whole thing,” as Miss Mortimer sug- 


Around the Throne. 9 1 

gested, they had arrived early, and were in the 
East Room before the President and others of 
the receiving party had come down, and in fact 
very few of the guests were on hand when they 
entered. A long line of carriages was, however, 
rapidly unloading the guests, and in a few mo- 
ments the rooms were brilliantly crowded with 
the many handsome and unhandsome women 
in gorgeous toilets who make up the American 
court. 

Standing near Mr. Warham and the ladies 
who formed his party was a large, ponderous- 
looking man and a woman who was evidently 
his wife, both of whom appeared uncomfortable 
and ill-at-ease in their evening clothes, which 
did not fit their bulky figures. The woman 
looked especially uncomfortable and seemed 
troubled with her gloves, and was constantly 
smoothing down the backs of her hands. Her 
iron-gray hair, which was arranged high on her 
^forehead, a la Pompadour , showed the appear- 
ance of a hasty toilet and was decidedly lop- 
sided, giving the venerable dame’s face a rather 
don’t-care expression, which was entirely out of 


92 


Around the Throne. 


keeping with her other characteristics. She 
nodded distantly to Mrs. Branch and Miss Mor- 
timer and stared coldly at Mr. Warham. The 
latter said in a low tone : 

“Who is your immense acquaintance? She 
looks as if she had hit her head on the side of 
the door as she entered the room, and her coif- 
fure is askew to such an extent that she appears 
absurd. She evidently disapproves of me, and 
her greeting to you was far from cordial.” 

“She is Mrs. Green, the wife of Justice Green 
of the Supreme Court, and the giant with her 
is her husband. Did you ever see such mon- 
sters? Why her hair should be disarranged, 
is ridiculous. She has a maid,” said Mrs. 
Branch. 

“Yes, she has a maid,” said the wife of the 
Secretary of War, who was standing near by, 
“but her maid is a maid of all work, and was 
probably washing the dinner dishes instead of 
arranging her mistress’ hair. Mrs. Green is the 
stingiest woman in Washington, and her maid 
is one of the jokes of the town.” 

At this juncture Mrs. Green, who had been 


Around the Throne. 93 

watching them closely, evidently surmised they 
were discussing her, so she determined to put a 
stop to their talk. She came to their side and 
said : 

“Dear Mrs. Branch, I am so delighted to 
see you. Pardon me for telling you, but the 
bow at your throat is untied. Let me tie it,” 
suiting the action to the word. “Now, it is all 
right.” Not to be outdone by such courtesy, 
Mrs. Branch said: 

“Thank you very much, Mrs. Green, but you 
are too kind. Now, let me return the favor. 
Your hair is lop-sided; your maid did not ar- 
range it at all well, and as you are too tall for 
me to reach up, if you will sit down in this chair 
I will gladly straighten it out.” 

Mrs. Green glared furiously at Mrs. Branch, 
and then glanced hastily at her reflection in 
the large mirror over the mantel at her side. 
When she saw the condition of her hair she 
turned red in the face, and, declining her ene- 
my’s proffered assistance, straightened it as best 
she could. Despite all her efforts, however, it 
continued to lop over to one side, so without 


94 


Around the Throne. 


another word to anyone but her husband, she 
hastily left the room, that gentleman following 
her. 

“I settled her nicely,” said Mrs. Branch in 
tones of triumph. “She hates me so cordially, 
too, that it was almost cruel after her kindness 
in tying my bow, which I do not believe needed 
it. But here comes the ‘royal family/ I sup- 
pose, as the band is beginning to play ‘Hail to 
the Chief/ ” 

There was a sudden hush in the conversation 
which had been going on in all parts of the 
room, and the attention of everyone present was 
directed towards the main entrance. In a few 
moments the Presidential party appeared, 
headed by the District Marshal, who is the 
official master of the ceremonies on all such 
occasions. 

The receiving party was a large one, com- 
prising not only the President and his wife and 
their numerous relatives who were visiting the 
White House, but several prominent officials 
and the ladies of their families, who were on 
good terms with the “First Lady of the Land / 5 


Around the Throne. 95 

as the President’s wife delights to be styled. 
At the head of the procession, directly behind 
the Marshal, were the Chief Magistrate and his 
wife, and behind them were the others. They 
entered the large apartment, and, taking their 
places at one end, the guests went forward and 
were introduced by the Marshal, each one, as 
his or her name was announced, shaking hands 
first with the President, then with his wife, and 
afterwards with the others who formed the 
receiving party. They then went out into other 
rooms, into the corridors, or into the conserva- 
tories, which were thrown open for the occa- 
sion. Mr. Warham and the party with him. 
however, after they had “paid their respects,’* 
as it is usually called, managed to secure a posi- 
tion on the other side of the room, near the host 
and hostess, where they could observe the entire 
ceremony. 

In addition to the people who were in the 
rooms when the Presidential party entered, whr 
were presented in turn at once, other guests 
were entering, forming one continuous proces- 
sion through the building. Everybody in 


9 6 


Around the Throne. 


Washington seemed to be present, and officials 
of every rank, as well as private citizens, of 
whom there are some in the Capital, together 
with the women of their families, were there, 
forming a gay and kaleidoscopic picture of 
brilliant and variegated color. 

The members of the Diplomatic Corps, Am- 
bassadors, Ministers Plenipotentiary, Secreta- 
ries and Attaches were out in force in their gor- 
geous, many-colored uniforms, and added 
greatly to the picturesqueness of the scene. 
They were accompanied by their ladies, whose 
brilliant toilets were in many instances outshone 
by those of the American ladies present; and, 
as far as mere physical beauty was concerned, 
the Americans easily carried off the palm over 
their foreign sisters. Officers of the American 
Army and Navy were also conspicuous figures, 
and while their uniforms were simpler and less 
gorgeous than those of the foreign diplomats, 
they added not a little to the picturesque variety 
of the assembly. 

As soon as the crowd of those “paying their 
respects” had somewhat lessened, Mrs. Branch 


Around the Throne. 97 

proposed that they should go nearer to the 
Presidential party. The President, seeing Miss 
Mortimer and Mr. Warham together, whis- 
pered something to his wife, who motioned 
them to approach, when she graciously asked 
them to step behind the others and wait until 
the formalities were completed, when she and 
the President desired to talk with them. She 
did not invite Mrs. Branch or the Speaker, 
whom she had treated with great coldness and 
excessive formality. Mr. Warham and Miss 
Mortimer complied with the request, and took 
the places assigned them. At this juncture a 
large number of new arrivals entered, and were 
in turn presented. The President’s wife looked 
very much fatigued and asked for a chair, 
which Mr. Warham handed her. She seated 
herself wearily and continued to shake hands 
with all those who came in. 

“Do let me relieve you for a short time,” said 
the Vice-President’s wife. “You look very 
tired, and it would give me the greatest pos- 
sible pleasure to take your place and allow you 
some rest.” 


98 


Around the Throne. 


“I am sure it would give you pleasure, and I 
am very much obliged for your kind offer; but 
I feel perfectly well, and prefer to attend to my 
duties myself,” said the President’s wife, with 
an icy smile and in frosty tones. “These peo- 
ple expect to shake my hand, and they shall be 
gratified, no matter if I am tired. It is their 
right to meet the wife of their President ; I cer- 
tainly shall not deny it to them,” and she 
turned to receive another group at that moment 
being announced by the Marshal. 

The “Vice-Presidential” lady retired in some 
discomfiture, and the ladies who had heard what 
was said smiled significantly at each other, evi- 
dently with keen enjoyment. The President’s 
wife saw the smiles, and said to Miss Mortimer, 
who was immediately behind her chair : 

“Did you ever see such effrontery in your 
life? That woman knows I detest her, and yet 
she is at all times endeavoring to force herself 
to the front and assume my place. She ought 
to know by this time that even if I were not able 
to attend to my duties, I should never for a 
moment allow her to do so. I only tolerate her 


Around the Throne. 


99 


presence to please the President, who does not 
like her any more than I, but who is so amiable 
and kind-hearted that he does not wish to hurt 
her feelings.” 

Another detachment of guests at this moment 
required her attention, and the lady arose from 
her chair to shake their hands, after which she 
resumed her seat. She continued talking to 
Miss Mortimer, whom she evidently liked, and 
said : 

“Who is the gentleman with you? I failed 
to catch his name when he was presented.” 

Miss Mortimer replied, and the President's 
wife continued : 

“As soon as the formal part of the reception 
is finished, I should like to meet him, and I am 
sure the President would also be pleased to see 
him. In a few moments all the guests will have 
been presented, and then we shall be at leisure, 
and you and Mr. Warham can, if you like, re- 
main here until that time. I am so tired and 
worn out meeting politicians, both male and 
female, that I long to hear someone who is in- 
terested in other things, and I know you care 
LofC. 


IOO 


Around the Throne. 


nothing about politics, and I presume Mr. War- 
ham is like you in that respect.” 

The lady here turned to shake hands with 
several guests, who, fortunately, proved to be 
the last to be presented. She at once took the 
President’s arm, and, followed by Mr. Warham 
and Miss Mortimer, went into the adjoining 
room, where there were fewer people than in 
the East Room. Seating herself on a low divan 
in a corner, she invited the others to take chairs, 
the President seating himself at her side. 

“Miss Mortimer says you are a literary man, 
Mr. Warham,” said the hostess. “I assure you 
that both the President and myself are very glad 
to meet you, and especially so because you are 
not a politician. While I have had more to do 
with politicians than with any other class of 
men all my life, I never realized that there were 
so many of them until we came to the White 
House. Since we have been here, it seems to 
me, we see nothing but politicians, all of whom 
have some selfish purpose in view, so that I am 
heartily sick of the entire class.” 

Mr. Warham modestly disclaimed the title 


Around the Throne. 


ioi 


of “literary man,” and said that he was but an 
humble writer, whose reputation was not yet 
made. He had written one or two books which 
had been fairly well received, he added, but he 
hoped to accomplish something better in the 
future. 

“At any rate, you are not a politician nor a 
political writer,” she said. “Tell me how you 
are impressed with Washington? Have you 
been here long ?” 

Mr. Warham said that this was his first visit 
to the Capital and that it had been short. He 
added : 

“Unfortunately, I am obliged to leave in a 
day or two. Indeed, I remained longer than I 
at first intended, in order to be present here to- 
night. Miss Mortimer and Mrs. Branch have 
made my stay so delightful that I have enjoyed 
every moment of it. They have very kindly 
taken me to receptions and other social enter- 
tainments, so that in the two weeks I have been 
here I have really been present at almost every- 
thing that has been going on, and this brilliant 
reception tonight forms a fitting culmination to 
my visit.” 


102 


Around the Throne. 


At the mention of Mrs. Branch the lady of 
the White House frowned, and, when Mr. 
Warham had concluded, said : 

“You are a friend of Mrs. Branch, I pre- 
sume? Did you know her before you came to 
Washington ?” 

“Yes; I have known her slightly for several 
years,” said Mr. Warham. “I am a frequent 
visitor in the town where she lives, and made 
her acquaintance there. She is one of the most 
brilliant and entertaining women I have ever 
met.” 

“ I know her very slightly,” said the lady. 
“For some reason unknown to me, she has 
taken a violent dislike to me, and for more than 
a year after we came to the White House she 
never came here, and even when the Speaker 
honored us, she sent regrets. Recently, how- 
ever, she has attended one or two of the recep- 
tions, and I hope in time we may become better 
acquainted, and that the prejudice she has 
formed against both the President and myself 
may pass away. There are so few really enter- 
taining people here that it is too bad that one 


Around the Throne. 103 

of the best of them should be to all intents and 
purposes a stranger in this house. Have you 
met many other ladies whose conversation 
proved entertaining? If you have, please let me 
know, so that I may cultivate them.” 

As this last sentence was uttered, the distin- 
guished lady smiled sarcastically, though 
wearily, implying probably that her experience 
in that regard had not been encouraging. Mr. 
Warham said : 

“Yes; I have been greatly entertained by the 
conversation of several ladies whom I have met 
here, in fact most agreeably entertained. But 
I must confess the talk was not at all intellec- 
tual, rather the contrary. The conversation was 
largely in relation to personal incidents and 
stories told of people in society, but it was 
nevertheless extremely entertaining, as personal 
matters are when they have never been heard 
before. Many of the ladies are most brilliant 
in that sort of conversation ; as brilliant, indeed, 
as any I have ever met.” 

“In other words/’ said she, “they have en- 
tertained you with gossip and scandal of all 


104 Around the Throne. 

sorts. My observation here has convinced me 
that Washington society is given up almost 
entirely to that sort of talk, often most ill- 
natured in its character, too. I am also con- 
vinced that next to gossip and scandal, the peo- 
ple who are in society care more for the pleas- 
ures of the table than anything else, and those 
who wish to succeed here and to become socially 
popular, must furnish their guests two things — 
plenty of food and plenty of gossip. As I do 
not care for either, I suppose is one reason why 
I am not popular — for that I am unpopular has 
been apparent to me for some time.” 

Here the President, who had been conversing 
with Miss Mortimer, said : 

“My dear, pardon me for interrupting you, 
but, if you are rested, I think it is time for us 
to move about among our guests, and I am sure 
Miss Mortimer will pardon us for leaving 
now.” 

“I suppose you are right,” was the reply in a 
weary tone. “But Mr. Warham is the only 
gentleman I have met since I have been in the 
White House who seems willing and able to talk 


Around the Throne. 105 

about anything besides politics, and I should 
like to remain right here as we are for the rest 
of the evening, as this is probably the last time 
I shall see him, because he goes home tomor- 
row.” 

“Perhaps he and Miss Mortimer might be 
able to lunch with you tomorrow before he 
leaves Washington,” suggested the Presi- 
dent. 

“I am glad you made the suggestion,” she 
said. “Will it be possible for you to come here 
informally? No one will be present but the 
President and myself, as my house guests are 
engaged for a luncheon elsewhere. It will give 
me the greatest pleasure, and I am sure the 
President will enjoy it equally with me.” 

Miss Mortimer looked inquiringly at Mr. 
Warham, who said : 

“Madam, your simple request is to me a com- 
mand, and I appreciate very much the honor. 
I do not exaggerate when I say that it will give 
me very great pleasure to accept your invita- 
tion, and I trust Miss Mortimer will do like- 


wise. 


106 Around the Throne. 

Miss Mortimer expressed her acknowledg- 
ments, and said that she would gladly accept 
the honor. 

“Until tomorrow, then,” said the lady of the 
White House, as she took the arm of the Presi- 
dent, and bowing, the distinguished pair walked 
away. As soon as they had gone, Mrs. Branch, 
who was leaning on the arm of the Secretary 
of War, came over to the corner in which they 
had resumed their seats. 

“Well,” she said, “you have been honored 
before all the guests to an unusual extent, and 
you have become envied by everyone present 
because you have received such distinguished 
attention from their 'Majesties.’ There is no 
doubt but the impression was favorable, for I 
never saw the 'lady’ look as pleased as she did 
while with you. Why, she actually smiled on 
me, a thing she never did before. Usually her 
recognition when she meets me is the reverse of 
smiling and cordial, but just now she gave me 
a most beaming smile. You must have been 
discussing me, and above all saying nice things 
about me to her.” 


Around the Throne. 107 

Mr. Warham gave his seat to Mrs. Branch, 
and he and the Secretary of War seated them- 
selves at the side of the ladies. In reply to Mrs. 
Branch, he smiled and said : 

“We did speak of you, and, of course, I said 
nothing but what was nice. We did not say 
much about you, for most of our talk was on 
other subjects, but what I did say caused the 
lady to express a strong desire to know you 
better,, and what is of more importance, she 
wishes to change your opinion of her into one 
more favorable, which I hope she will succeed 
in doing before long.” 

Mrs. Branch smiled satirically, and said: 

“I am delighted. But tell me, how were you 
pleased with our host and hostess? Or were 
you pleased at all? You had a long tete a tete, 
for I could see she devoted herself to you, while 
the President took care of Miss Mortimer. Did 
you find her agreeable?” 

“I have not formed any definite conclusion 
about either of them,” said Mr. Warham. “Our 
conversation was too short this evening, but 
tomorrow, after Miss Mortimer and T have 


io8 


Around the Throne. 


taken luncheon here, I may be able to arrive at 
some decision. I can only say now that I think 
she is very intelligent, and is also a very keen 
observer. I believe also that she is inclined to 
be pessimistic, which rather surprises me. But 
she was exceedingly cordial to me, and the fact 
that she has invited me to take luncheon inform- 
ally with herself and the President indicates 
that she wishes to see more of me.” 

“Your long tete a tete made a mild sort of 
sensation among the guests,” said Mrs. Branch. 
“Everybody was asking who the person might 
be who was receiving such unusual attention, 
and when it was understood that you were 
neither a relative nor a member of the same 
church, nor even an office seeker, the surprise 
increased. The conclusion adopted, I believe, is 
that you are to be offered a place in the diplo- 
matic service in Russia, in order to please the 
Russian Ambassador, who is said to be desirous 
to have you sent to his country in some official 
capacity.” 

Mr. Warham laughed heartily at this, and 
said : 


Around the Throne. 109 

“Was anything more absurd ever thought 
of? I have no desire whatever to serve my 
country in any capacity, except that of private 
citizen. Certainly, if I wished for an office, it 
would not be a place abroad, for I have been 
so much away from home, especially across the 
water, that I have no intention of leaving my 
own country at any time in the near future.” 

Mrs. Branch said : 

“Such talk always occurs here when any 
stranger is seen in close conference with the 
President or any member of his family. 
Usually the inferences are correct, and nine 
times out of ten — yes, oftener — those who get 
a chance to see the President and have as great 
opportunities as you have just had to talk with 
him, are after some office, either for themselves 
or someone else. When it is known that you 
have been invited here to luncheon, nearly 
everybody will be certain that you will get some 
good appointment, and it will be impossible to 
convince them to the contrary. Even if you 
do not take an office for yourself, they will all 
be positive that you wish to secure one for 


no 


Around the Throne. 


some friend- The idea that any stranger can 
talk with the President for even a few moments 
and not ask some favor, is considered entirely 
foreign to the spirit of our institutions, and is 
certainly foreign to our practices and customs. 
My advice is, if you really do not want an office, 
you had better take advantage of your oppor- 
tunity and get one for a friend. You have evi- 
dently made a good impression on ‘their Maj- 
esties/ and you doubtless must have some 
friend or friends who would be grateful for 
places. Everybody has friends who want places 
under the Government, and I do not believe you 
are an exception to the rule. I, myself, have at 
least a dozen friends who would be glad to se- 
cure positions where the duties are light and the 
pay large. Just think of it ! here you are casting 
aside such an opportunity as thousands would 
gladly seize, and no one will give you credit for 
such remarkable self-abnegation.” 

Mr. Warham was very much amused, and 
said : 

“If any of my friends want office, they have 
never hinted it to me; and, should they do so, 


Around the Throne. 


hi 


it would be of no use. I certainly should not 
aid them even if I were able to do so, for the 
courtesy of the President and his wife would 
prohibit such an exhibition of bad taste on my 
part, even if it is one of the time-honored cus- 
toms. They said they were glad to meet me, 
and wished to meet me again for the very rea- 
son that I did not talk politics, and that is the 
cause of my invitation to luncheon. To talk 
politics, and especially to turn myself into an 
office-seeker, would give me the appearance of 
a mere pretender. No; I shall not mention 
office to them in any way, for if, as you say, 
I have made a good impression, I want them 
to retain it. They hear so much politics and are 
so beset by office-seeking politicians that I can 
easily understand how they feel on the subject, 
and that it must be a great relief to come across 
someone who eschews such things.” 

The Secretary of War here called their at- 
tention to the President, who, with his wife, 
was at the other end of the room, and said : 

“There is an illustration before you of the 
very matter you are talking about. See how 


1 1 2 


Around the Throne. 


bored and wearied the President looks i The 
man and woman who have practically cornered 
him have been trying to get an audience for 
several weeks, and have heretofore failed. They 
have tormented me beyond measure, and I can 
understand without hearing a word of their 
conversation just what they are saying. The 
man is an auditor in my department, and 
wishes to be promoted to a place where the 
salary is much larger, and the fact that he is 
entirely unfit for the duties does not deter him 
in the least- His wife has waylaid and bad- 
gered me on every occasion; at receptions and 
elsewhere she is always on hand, and now she 
and her husband have attacked the President 
and his wife. The time and the place, one 
would think, would deter them, but it does not. 
Now, they are looking at me, and I suppose are 
telling the President what a hard-hearted per- 
son I am. However, tomorrow I shall hear the 
whole story, but I venture to say that two- 
thirds of the talk the President has listened to 
this evening since he left this corner has been 
made up of applications of just such a charac- 


Around the Throne. 113 

ter. No wonder he is delighted to meet some- 
one who does not mention such matters.” 

“Is he never allowed any rest from these peo- 
ple?” said Mr. Warham. “Is he always liable 
to be ‘held up’ on such occasions as this by 
office-seekers? One would think they would 
have some regard for propriety and abstain 
from troubling him at social functions, if at no 
other time. His patience and politeness must 
be sorely taxed, for those people have him fast 
in that corner, and the woman is evidently de- 
termined to keep him there until he makes some 
definite promise.” 

“They are looking this way in triumph now,” 
said Mrs. Branch. “Mr. Secretary, they have 
evidently obtained what they wish, and tomor- 
row they will be after you for the coveted posi- 
tion, backed up by the President, who looks re- 
lieved as he walks wearily away from them. I 
venture to predict that the man will obtain the 
place, no matter whether he is competent to fill 
it or not.” 

“I suppose so,” said the Secretary of War, 
almost despairingly. “You see, Mr. Warham, 


Around the Throne. 


114 

how we are hampered in the performance of our 
duties. Now, this appointment, if it is made, 
will be contrary to what is right, and yet I shall 
be held responsible for it and all the conse- 
quences that may follow it. No one will think 
of blaming the President, who ought to be cen- 
sured, if anyone is, for the act. Why, in every 
one of the almost innumerable cases of this 
sort, I have been held up to the scorn and ridi- 
cule of the public for appointments which I have 
tried in every way possible to prevent, and 
which have been made over my head, despite 
my protest. I have been abused and villified in 
the press from one end of the land to the other 
for acts of this sort, and my hands have been 
tied and lips sealed, so that I could do nothing 
but submit. The President is so kind-hearted, 
and even pliable, that scarcely a day passes but 
that I am compelled to do something for which 
I am blamed, and he, who is really responsible, 
escapes criticism. Every branch of my depart- 
ment is filled with incompetents, who were 
placed there over my head by the President, 
through his kindness of heart and disposition 


Around the Throne. J15 

to yield to pressure, and I am held responsible. 
Politicians, members of the Senate and House, 
and others with influence, see the President or 
some member of his family, and persuade him 
to do things which in the end result in detri- 
ment to the public service, and a great outcry 
is raised by the press and people against the 
Secretary for his incompetence, when the truth 
is he has been powerless to prevent the evil. 
This is not only the case with appointments, 
but also with other matters. Contracts involv- 
ing vast interests have been given out by direct 
order from the President, and I have been 
howled at, abused and derided because I, who 
am not much more than a mere clerk through- 
out the affair, as the head of the department 
have permitted such things.” 

“What you say is extremely interesting to 
me,” said Mr. Warham. “It places many 
things in an entirely new light, and explains 
much that I have found hard to understand. 
But tell me, if it is not asking too much, is the 
President really responsible for all these mat- 
ters for which your department has been so se- 


n6 Around the Throne. 

verely criticised during the last few months in 
all parts of the country? If so, what has in- 
duced him to act in such a manner, for in the 
end he must understand that the whole truth 
will be known ?” 

“The President is responsible for every act 
of any importance that has taken place in my 
department since I took charge of it. His fauh 
lies in the fact that he is a man of yielding dis- 
position, and does not know how or when to 
say no to the importunities of those with whom 
he comes in contact. At least three members of 
his Cabinet have resigned and left Washington 
in disgust because they could do nothing, and 
yet were held responsible for his acts. They 
were even debarred from giving the real reason 
for their resignations, and to this day no one 
but their intimate friends know why they re- 
tired. I have been on the verge of resigning 
several times, but was prevented doing so by 
the fact that the President himself begged me 
to remain, and also because I disliked to retreat 
under such a hostile fire as that which has been 
turned on me. I cannot stand the strain much 


Around the Throne. 117 

longer, however, and will insist on retiring soon 
unless there is a decided change.” 

After some further conversation the ladies 
indicated their desire to go home, and Mr. War- 
ham entered the carriage with them, many of 
the guests leaving the White House at the same 
time, and soon after that the great reception of 
the season came to an end. 


1 18 


Around the Throne. 


CHAPTER VII. 

THE LUNCHEON AT THE WHITE HOUSE. 

The next day at the appointed hour Mr. 
Warham and Miss Mortimer entered the White 
House and were ushered into one of the private 
parlors, where they were soon joined by the 
President and his wife, and a few minutes later 
all were seated at the luncheon table, in the 
family dining-room. Both the host and hostess 
appeared to have recovered from the fatigue 
incident to the reception of the night before, 
and their greeting to their guests was most 
cordial. 

“It is such a pleasure to meet someone who 
does not seek an office,” said the President. 
“You will hardly believe it, but it is really a 
fact, Mr. Warham, that people whom one would 
never suspect will ask me to do something for 
themselves or friends, even when they are 
guests here under just such circumstances as 


Around the Throne. 


119 

these. I have become so used to it, however, 
that it will not surprise me in the least if you 
prove to be like others, and prefer some request 
before you leave.” 

Mr. Warham laughed heartily, and said : 

“I shall be the exception that will prove the 
rule. Last night, after your kind reception to 
me, several of my acquaintances expressed their 
surprise when I told them that I not only 
wanted no office for myself, but had no inten- 
tion to ask anything of the sort for others. 
Some of them seemed rather disgusted, and said 
I was violating all the usual rules which ob- 
tain here and that I was setting a bad prece- 
dent. But I assure you, I not only want noth- 
ing for myself, and I also know of no friend 
who wants anything.” 

“Please stop talking about such things,” said 
the hostess. “I do not want to hear of any- 
thing even remotely connected with politics, 
and offices are the chief consideration in politi- 
cal affairs. Only last week I had two ladies, 
who were visiting in Washington, to lunch with 
me. One of them was an old school friend, and 


120 


Around the Throne. 


I invited her for the express purpose of talking 
over old times, and had no idea that she would 
wish to discuss anything else. To my surprise, 
she had hardly been at the table five minutes 
when she asked me to use my influence with 
the President to secure an appointment in the 
Army for her nephew, and the other lady was 
equally desirous to secure my assistance to get a 
promotion for her son, who is in one of the de- 
partments. The entire time they were here was 
taken up talking about the merits of those two 
wonderful boys, and they actually persuaded 
me to accede to their wishes before they left the 
house.” 

“And their wishes have been granted,” said 
the President. “But, my dear, who is talking 
of matters connected with politics now? I 
thought you had tabooed that subject.” 

“It is in the atmosphere, Mr. President,” said 
Miss Mortimer, laughingly. She continued : 

“It is impossible to avoid politics in Wash- 
ington ten minutes at a time, no matter what 
other subject you may take up. I have noticed 
that such is the case ever since I have lived 


Around the Throne. 


I 21 


here. Whether you undertake to discuss church, 
society, people, or what not, the conversation 
will quickly veer around to politics, and before 
you are aware of it, the all-absorbing and all- 
interesting subject will have the floor, to the 
exclusion of everything else. It is our life here, 
and we cannot help it. Men, women and chil- 
dren talk politics in some form a greater part 
of the time, and nothing can prevent it.” 

“That is very true,” said the President. 
“This is a political town, in every sense of the 
word. It was founded as the political capital 
of the country and the whole basis of its pros- 
perity is politics. Its business depends on poli- 
tics and politicians. Whatever commerce and 
trade it has arises from the fact that the entire 
population has been collected here for political 
purposes. Without politics, Washington would 
never have been brought into existence as a 
great city, and all its growth is based on poli- 
tics. Society here is purely political, and to talk 
politics to the exclusion of almost everything 
else is but natural under the circumstances. 
Politics brought us all here, and, sooner or 


122 


Around the Throne. 


later, politics will scatter us, and others, be- 
cause of political exigencies, will take our 
places, and they, too, will talk politics just as 
we are doing at the present time. Indeed, I do 
not see how any sustained conversation can take 
place in Washington without including some 
phase of politics. Men and women here are all 
politicians in a certain sense, and all the new- 
comers become so before they have been long 
with us. It is, as you said, in the air, and it can- 
not be helped, no matter how much we may try 
to talk about other things. The subject which 
absorbs most of our attention is sure to enter 
into our talk, and that subject in Washington 
is at all times politics and politicians.” 

“I suppose I must submit, then,” said the 
hostess, with a resigned air. “But I am heartily 
tired of the whole subject and all its ramifica- 
tions. I have become almost morbid on this 
question, and I really dread to meet any of my 
old friends or to make any new ones. They 
all seem to think I ought to be able to do ‘some- 
thing’ for them, and look so distressed when I 
assure most of them that I am powerless. One 


Around the Throne. 123 

thing that has greatly surprised me since we 
came to Washington is the fact that almost all 
my old friends and acquaintances appear to 
think that I ought to aid them in getting places 
in the Government service for members of their 
families. I never had the sligthest idea that so 
many people, whom I thought well-off, were 
ready and anxious to take any salary they might 
be able to get, so long as they may secure Gov- 
ernment positions. They pour into my ears all 
kinds of stories of misfortune, which I had 
never suspected. Mothers come to me to get 
places for their sons, and aunts think I have 
only to say a word and their nephews will be 
given commissions in the Army or Navy or 
appointments in the Departmental service. 
Why, I could find among my old friends and 
acquaintances so many people who are anxious 
to get offices for members of their families and 
other relations, that, taken together, they would 
fill nearly all the positions in the civil and mili- 
tary service at the disposal of the President. 
A large proportion of these people become ex- 
tremely indignant when I inform them that I 


124 


Around the Throne. 


can do nothing for them, and go away abusing 
me roundly for my lack of interest in their af- 
fairs, when the real truth is I can do very little 
even should I desire to do anything. I assure 
you, therefore, Mr. Warham, that you are re- 
markable in this respect, as you are really the 
first person I have met here who has no favors 
to ask. It is such a relief to meet you and to 
talk to you about these matters that I am sorry 
you are to leave Washington so soon. I can 
only hope that you will honor us with your 
presence again, for you will always be welcome 
at the White House while I am here.” 

Mr. Warham expressed his appreciation in 
fitting words, and said : 

“My short stay in Washington, Madam, has 
been a revelation to me in regard to public af- 
fairs and the people connected with them. I 
had a somewhat vague idea about these things, 
but knew nothing whatever about the reality. 
Above all, I have been surprised at the human- 
ness, if I may use such a word, of the people 
here, and at the fact that, with very few excep- 
tions, they are exactly like other people — no 


Around the Throne. 125 

worse and certainly no better — than the men 
and women I have been meeting everywhere in 
the private walks of life, where my lot has to a 
great extent been passed, except when I have 
been abroad. Great affairs of state and of im- 
portance to the whole country are considered 
here, with few exceptions, just as people in 
small towns are in the habit of looking upon 
their own petty concerns, and, so far as I have 
been able to observe, are managed in much the 
same way. Of course, there are notable excep- 
tions to these strictures. Some of the public 
men are broad-minded and consider matters in 
their proper light, but most of them look upon 
great matters of state just as village politicians 
and small town officials look upon their own 
unimportant local concerns. I think this arises, 
to a very great extent from the fact that most 
of the public men here are in reality no more 
than town and county politicians, whose minds 
were formed and fixed in their own narrow 
local spheres before they came to Washington. 
To some extent, this change of environment 
has broadened them, and in a few cases men 


126 


Around the Throne. 


who have come here from obscure country or 
village surroundings have developed into real, 
patriotic, broad-minded statesmen. But such 
cases, I believe, are rare. Generally the men 
prominent here in the management of the na- 
tion consider only the effect of what they may 
do upon the narrow community from which 
they come, rather than its effect upon the peo- 
ple of the country at large. One Senator, in 
discussing a measure of great public impor- 
tance, said to me that he was anxious to know 
how the people of his own small section looked 
upon it before he took a decided stand. He ad- 
mitted that the measure was one of vast mo- 
ment to the country, that its enactment meant a 
great deal to millions of people, but his only 
concern was to find out how the few hundred 
thousand inhabitants who formed his imme- 
diate constituency looked upon it, and then he 
would be prepared to act. He could not see 
beyond the borders of his own locality, and the 
country at large and public sentiment in general 
were no concern of his, as long as he could 
please those whose votes might return him to 


Around the Throne. 127 

Washington for another term, or retire him 
to private life.” 

“Of course, it would not do for me to make 
public such sentiments,” said* the President, 
“but you have expressed my view of the situa- 
tion here with great correctness. What our 
country is suffering from at the present time 
is the prevalence of what may be called ‘cross- 
roads politics’ and the lack of real statesman- 
ship in the discussion of matters of legislation. 
General public interests are ignored, because 
they are not understood by a majority of our 
public men of both parties, and are subordinated 
to matters purely local in their character, and 
thus everything is viewed from a narrow- 
minded standpoint. The real statesmen, who 
enter public life and come to Washington, are 
discouraged at the outlook when they have had 
time to observe the men who are in the major- 
ity in the councils of the nation, and soon 
become discouraged or disgusted, and many of 
them take the first opportunity to retire, believ- 
ing that it will be impossible for them to accom- 
plish any practical good for the country. A 


128 


Around the Throne. 


few of them hope for better things and remain 
at their posts, filled with a patriotic desire to 
influence affairs in some way, so that a change 
may be brought about. Only this morning one 
of the ablest men in Congress, a member of the 
opposition, came to me and said that he had 
about given up hope and would return here no 
more after the close of the present session. He 
said that he was thoroughly disgusted with 
the whole business, that men whom he had sup- 
posed were sincerely interested in the welfare of 
the country he had found to be self-seekers, 
looking out for personal advantage first, mere 
partisan advantage second, and the last thing 
they thought of was the real interest of the 
whole country. This gentleman is a man of the 
highest personal attainments, is peculiarly 
fitted by his education and training for public 
life, and, above all else, his motives are inspired 
by feelings of the purest and noblest patriotism, 
and his every thought is directed to the welfare 
of the people. And yet his observation has led 
him to believe that his efforts here will be 
wasted in the attempt to bring about a better 


Around the Throne. 129 

state of affairs. I used all the eloquence I could 
to persuade him to change his mind, and he 
promised to give the matter further considera- 
tion, but I very much fear that he will adhere to 
his determination.” 

“What has surprised me as much as any- 
thing else in Washington,” said the hostess, “is 
the amount of ill-natured gossip of all sorts 
that prevails in society. I was, of course, used 
to all this sort of talk, to a greater or less de- 
gree, before I came here, for such things are 
not unusual in the smaller cities, but I expected 
something different in the Capital of the coun- 
try, where all that is best and noblest ought to 
be gathered together. I am probably too sen- 
sitive on this subject, because I have been the 
object of more spiteful and jealous discussion 
than others, and all that I have done has been 
criticised in the most merciless manner, and 
what I have left undone has been treated with 
even greater harshness, if that is possible. All 
sorts of base and selfish motives have been at- 
tributed to me since I have been here, and the 
tongues of the men have been as unsparing as 


130 


Around the Throne. 


those of the women with whom I have come 
in contact. I have been treated just as if I were 
a public servant, and had been elected to office 
as the President has been, and therefore be- 
longed to the people, as he does during his 
official term. I had no idea that the position of 
mistress of the White House carried with it so 
many responsibilities as the people in Washing- 
ton imagine belong to it. The thought that I 
may have my likes and dislikes, my friendships 
and other things incident thereto, never enters 
their minds, and I have come to the conclusion 
after my experience here that the best way for 
the President’s wife to get along in the future 
will be to have no association whatever with 
people except that of the most formal charac- 
ter. In that way she can avoid a great deal of 
the trouble I have encountered. She should be 
simply polite, in the most formal and conven- 
tional way possible, should never entertain any- 
one except formally, should have no friends 
while in Washington, in the real sense of the 
word friend, and while in all respects she should 
perform the social duties incident to her tern- 


Around the Throne. 


131 

porary position in the White House, her con- 
nection with the people should end with that. 
I am too fond of my friends to carry out such 
a programme, and I like too well to have people 
around me in an informal manner to do so. I 
am convinced, however, that the time will come 
when the President’s family will be compelled 
to act as I have indicated, and abstain com- 
pletely from all intercourse with the people 
except in the most formal manner. I dislike 
formality too much to carry out such a plan, 
but I am sure that I should have enjoyed more 
freedom from criticism, and have been less 
troubled in many ways, had I done so from the 
day I came here. Even if I desired to try such 
an experiment, it is too late now to under- 
take it.” 

“I have often thought that the position of the 
President’s family must be most trying,” said 
Miss Mortimer. “I have lived in Washington 
long enough to know what life here is, and I 
am as well acquainted with society, as we see 
it here, as anyone can be after a few years 
passed right in the midst of it. I thoroughly 


132 


Around the Throne. 


agree with you that the President’s wife would 
escape much that is disagreeable if she 
should follow out such a plan as you advise, 
but it would be very hard on her to seclude her- 
self for four years, as she would be obliged to, 
from her former intimacy with her close per- 
sonal friends and relatives. Very few of us are 
so constituted that we can do so, and I am sure 
that I could not — in fact, I do not believe I 
should be willing to give up my friends for four 
years in order to have the great honor of being 
mistress of the White House and first lady of 
the land for that time. But the time will come 
when your plan will, of necessity, have to be 
followed, for no woman with ordinary nerves 
will be able to endure the great strain that you, 
Madam, have undergone for the past three 
years.” 

“In other words,” said Mr. Warham, “you 
think the time will soon come, if it is not al- 
ready here, when the President and his family 
will have to live as secluded and guarded a life 
as do the heads of the states of the Old World. 
It seems to me that such must be the case. The 


Around the Throne. 133 

conditions surrounding our higher Government 
officials in past years must have been very dif- 
ferent from what they are now. Then the Pres- 
ident was not much more important than the 
Governor of one of our large States is at the 
present time. In fact, the population of the 
entire country was then not much greater than 
that of the State of New York is now, while the 
means of communication were so primitive that 
there was very little intercourse with the Na- 
tional Capital, and consequently the number of 
people who visited Washington from the dif- 
ferent States was very small, being comprised 
almost entirely of officials and their families, 
and the style of living was extremely simple. 
Now, with the improved means of communi- 
cation, with the vast population of the country, 
with the large centers only a few hours distant, 
with the interests of the Government enor- 
mously increased and still rapidly increasing, 
the whole situation is entirely changed, and the 
National Capital has become the Mecca of mil- 
lions, where formerly it was of little interest to 
more than a few hundreds of people. I can 


134 


Around the Throne. 


readily see what you have in view, and my short 
stay here has given me such an insight into the 
matter that I can easily understand just what 
you mean. Our country and its Government 
is no longer a thinly populated, homogeneous 
Republic, to be managed in a simple, democratic 
manner, but has become a vast and complicated 
empire, with almost innumerable conflicting in- 
terests to be considered, with a bewildering sys- 
tem, which has gradually become a necessity, 
and out of all this a social system is slowly forc- 
ing itself which will compel the adoption of the 
plans you suggest.” 

“Yes,” said the President, “the days of what 
are called our ‘republican simplicity’ have prac- 
tically passed away, and it is almost impossible 
to observe the customs of those times. I am 
sorry, on many accounts, that such is the case, 
but I am glad the real change to the new sys- 
tem, which must be adopted before long, will 
not come until after my term ; for, however dif- 
ficult and irksome, as well as inconvenient, it 
may be, I ani determined that while I am at the 
head of the administration, the old republican 


Around the Throne. 135 

simplicity shall be observed. Yet it cannot last 
much longer, and I am sure my successors, in 
the interest of the entire people, will be com- 
pelled to conform to the necessities of the situa- 
tion and accede to what the development, the 
growth and the advancement of the country 
absolutely require. In all probability, this will 
be the last administration in which the old sys- 
tem, of what so many delight to call the rules 
of Jeffersonian simplicity, will prevail in all 
branches of the Government. The inevitable 
change must come ; it will be no more than fol- 
lowing out the necessities of progress and hu- 
man development that it should come; but, as 
I said before, I am extremely glad that the real 
transformation from democratic simplicity will 
not take place until I have turned over the peo- 
ple’s charge to other hands. Whether we may 
like it or not, the transformation of our Gov- 
ernment and country from a plain, simple 
democracy to a vast republican empire is rap- 
idly taking place, and the sooner we realize the 
fact and prepare ourselves for the inevitable the 
better it will be for all. Not that I for a mo- 


136 Around the Throne. 

ment believe this country will ever be governed 
other than as a republic based on popular will, 
but the people themselves will see that thefr 
interest will be best subserved in the manner 
above indicated, and will demand that the Pres- 
ident and other heads of the administration 
devote their time to their official duties, and 
that many things now and heretofore consid- 
ered a part of republican simplicity must be 
changed in the public interest. The whole peo- 
ple will insist that their official trustees must 
be so protected that a small part of the people 
shall not be permitted to interfere with them, 
to the detriment of the general welfare. ,, 

“The great increase in the wealth of the 
country is responsible for many changes in so- 
ciety here,” said the hostess. “I am told by 
ladies who have been in Washington all their 
lives, and who are now old, that the difference 
is becoming more and more noticeable every 
year. When we came here, I was asked by 
several ladies of position to use my influence in 
an endeavor to check the rising tide of extrava- 
gance which was threatening to overwhelm 


Around the Throne. 


i37 


society, and which was becoming so great that 
people of moderate means, no matter what their 
position, were almost prohibited from enter- 
taining in any degree comparable to that of 
others whose means happened to be more abun- 
dant. I made the effort, but it failed com- 
pletely, and after a year I abandoned it in de- 
spair. I called the ladies of the Cabinet circle 
together, asked their assistance, and requested 
them as a favor to be as moderate as possible 
in their entertainments, and plan them on a 
modest, inexpensive scale. I did thus because 
I knew that some of the members of the Cabi- 
net were not rich, while others were able to 
endure the most lavish sort of expenditure with- 
out inconvenience. Without exception, all ap- 
proved my recommendation and agreed to carry 
it out, and for a time did so. But what was the 
result ? A great outcry was raised throughout 
Washington, and I was criticised and even 
abused for interfering and attempting to 're- 
form society/ as some of my critics termed it. 
Newspaper writers took up the matter, and all 
sorts of sarcastic, untrue and unkind things 


138 Around the Throne. 

were published about me, all of which distressed 
me very much, for it was totally unexpected, 
and my action had been inspired by no desire to 
‘reform Washington society’ or change any of 
the customs of the place. Before long one of 
the Cabinet ladies told me that several others 
had given up attempting to carry out my plan, 
and she intended to do the same at her next 
reception, and, to use her own words, ‘to have 
everything as elaborate and expensive as possi- 
ble, so that no one could say hers was an eco- 
nomical and penurious establishment.’ She 
said that the people simply would not attend the 
sort of entertainments I had recommended, and 
that in order to make her entertainments suc- 
cessful she must have everything that money 
could buy, as she expressed it. That was my 
last attempt, and now the other plan has been 
resumed, and I am told the more elaborate and 
luxurious the refreshments the more successful 
the entertainment, and that those who give 
modest and inexpensive functions must be con- 
tent to have them passed by, and receive more 
cards of regret than acceptances. In fact, a lady 


Around the Throne. 139 

told me only a day or two since that there was 
the greatest amount of rivalry this season 
among those who entertained lavishly, as to 
who could give the most luxurious and expen- 
sive entertainments, and that this winter was 
far exceeding all others in the social history of 
the Capital in the magnificence and lavishness 
of its social functions. All this, as you will 
see, is rapidly destroying whatever republican 
simplicity may have been left, and before long 
none but the very rich will be able to take any 
prominent part in Washington society.” 

At the conclusion of the luncheon, Miss Mor- 
timer and Mr. Warham remained for some time 
with their host and hostess. After he had es- 
corted the young lady home, bade her adieu and 
returned to his hotel for his luggage,' he left 
Washington for Boston. 


140 


Around the Throne. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

AT SENATOR WALTON^. 

At the close of Lent, when the Easter holi- 
days had caused society to resume its round of 
entertainments, Mr. Warham found himself 
again in Washington on business. He arrived 
at the Shoreham in the morning, and toward 
evening, after he had completed his work for 
the day, he called at the house of Justice Mor- 
timer. Miss Mortimer was at home, and in a 
few minutes he was receiving her cordial greet- 
ings in the drawing-room. She said : 

“This is, indeed, a pleasant surprise. I had 
no idea you intended to revisit Washington so 
soon. I hope you will be able to remain with us 
for some time, for society has put off the sack- 
cloth and ashes of Lent and things will be going 
with a rush for the next few weeks, in order 
to make up for lost time. Easter was so late 
in the spring this year that only a short time 


Around the Throne. 141 

remains before the hot weather will be here, and 
we want to have all the fun possible before we 
leave town.” 

Mr. Warham said that he expected to re- 
main for at least a week, but that as soon as his 
business was concluded he should be com- 
pelled to return to Boston, however much he 
would like to stay in Washington. 

“A great deal can be crowded into a week,” 
said Miss Mortimer, “and you must begin at 
once. Tonight, if you like, you can go with 
us to the Waltons’ reception, which will be quite 
a stunning affair, as it will be Mrs. Walton’s 
first entertainment. Poor woman, she disliked 
very much to give it, but the Senator insisted, 
and Mrs- Branch and I, together with several 
others, are to assist her, so she feels reasonably 
certain of success. Mrs. Branch will' be de- 
lighted to see you, and so will the lady of the 
White House, on whom you made a very de- 
cided and favorable impression. She has 
inquired about you several times since we 
lunched there on your former visit, and will 
expect you to call, now that you are in town 
again.” 


142 


Around the Throne. 


Mr. Warham expressed his pleasure at what 
he heard, and said that he certainly should call 
at the White House before leaving Washington. 

At this point Mrs. Mortimer entered the 
drawing-room, and, after the formal greetings, 
said : 

“Mr. Warham, if you have no other engage- 
ment, I think you had better dine here this even- 
ing, and then go with us to the Waltons. As 
we are to assist Mrs. Walton, we are obliged to 
go earlier than usual, and there will be room in 
the carriage for you. I can only give you a 
family dinner and there will be no other 
guests.” 

Mr. Warham said that he should like that 
arrangement above all things, expressed his ap- 
preciation of the hospitality shown him, and 
soon after returned to the Shoreham, where he 
donned his evening clothes, and was back in 
time for dinner, which was at 6 o’clock, in 
order to give the ladies time to prepare for the 
reception. 

“How do you imagine Mrs. Walton will 
manage to pass muster?” said Mr. Warham, 


Around the Throne. 


i43 


when they were in the carriage on their way to 
that lady’s house. 

“Oh, I am sure she will do very well,” said 
Miss Mortimer. “Mrs. Branch and I have been 
coaching her and she is not at all stupid. The 
main difficulty we had was to persuade her to 
dress plainly. Like all women of her class, her 
taste tends strongly to the gorgeous, and since 
her marriage the Senator has literally over- 
whelmed her with magnificent jewels. She 
wanted to dress in all the colors of the rainbow,, 
and we had hard work to prevail on her to wear 
very few diamonds. At last we succeeded, and 
she really looks quite ladylike in the costume we 
selected. We told her to wear all the jewels she 
wishes when she goes out, but that in her own 
house she ought to be the simplest dressed 
woman present, so that her attire will not out- 
shine that of any of her guests. She is a very 
sensible woman, and in time will learn to ap- 
pear quite as well as many of the women in the 
official society here, for the truth is, she is quite 
as good in all respects as most of them, and a 
great deal better than some who do not hesitate 


144 


Around the Throne. 


to ridicule her. All she lacks is toning down 
and practice, and that she will have in time, for 
her husband is determined that she shall go out 
in society, and she will do what he wishes, how- 
ever much she may dislike it.” 

By this time they had arrived at Senator 
Walton’s. The house was one of the largest 
and most imposing mansions in the Capital, 
and was furnished with all the lavish luxury 
that an enormous fortune could procure, and 
was one blaze of light from top to bottom. 
Everything that unlimited wealth could gather 
from the four quarters of the globe was there, 
in unstinted profusion, and a large retinue of 
servants in livery was on hand to minister to 
the comfort and convenience of the guests. 

The ladies were shown to Mrs. Walton’s 
rooms, and the Judge and Mr. Warham, after 
they had deposited their overcoats and hats in 
the dressing-room, walked into the library, 
where they found their host at his desk signing 
letters which had been prepared by his Secre- 
tary. The Senator expressed great pleasure at 
meeting Mr. Warham, and said : 


Around the Throne. 145 

“I thought you could not remain away from 
Washington after having a taste of the life 
here, or perhaps you became interested in some 
of the fascinating women whom you met on 
your former visit. However, no matter what 
brought you back, we are all glad to see you, 
and Mrs. Walton will be especially pleased that 
you are here for her first reception. But come, 
I suppose it is time for us to go down to the 
drawing-room, as the guests must be here in a 
short time, and the ladies have already gone 
down.” 

When Mr. Warham and the other gentlemen 
entered the drawing-room, they found that Mrs. 
Walton and the ladies who were to assist her 
in receiving the guests had preceded them. The 
hostess seemed pleased to see Mr. Warham, 
and said that she considered it an especial com- 
pliment that he had come to her first reception. 
She also said : 

“Y611 know, Mr. Warham, as an old friend 
of Mr. Walton, that this is an entirely new ex- 
perience to me, and you have no idea how I 
dread it. Mr. Walton, however, is determined 


146 Around the Throne. 

that I must go into society, and while it is real 
torture to me to do so, I am determined to do 
my best in order to gratify him.” 

Mr. Warham said that he had no doubt but 
that she would soon get over her dislike for 
society. He said : 

“You will find it like a bath in the surf. The 
first plunge is the most disagreeable. After 
you are thoroughly drenched, and the waves 
are rolling around and over you, you become 
accustomed to it and find it delightful. I am 
sure that will be your experience.” 

“What I fear most is the talk of the women,” 
said Mrs. Walton. “While I was only Mr. 
Walton’s housekeeper, it is true, I was also an 
intimate friend of his first wife long before 
he knew her, for we were girls together. She 
married a rich man and went to the city to live, 
and consequently had all the luxuries of life, 
while I married a poor man and lived in the 
country until he died. Since then I have been 
with Mr. Walton’s family. I am telling you 
this because I know you are a friend of my 
husband, and I want you to be my friend.” 


Around the Throne. 147 

Mr. Warham was greatly touched by this 
confidence on the part of his hostess, and said : 

“My dear madam, I am deeply obliged for 
such a mark of esteem, and respect you highly 
for what you have said. I have the highest 
regard for Mr. Walton, and shall consider it an 
honor to be counted among your friends.” 

At this time the hostess and the ladies of the 
receiving party took their places, as several 
guests had arrived and were about to enter the 
drawing-room. Mr. Warham, Judge Morti- 
mer and the Speaker of the House stood at one 
side of the room in a large alcove, where they 
could observe all that took place. 

Mrs. Walton, Mr. Warham noticed, was 
dressed in plain black velvet, and looked quite 
as well as a large proportion of her guests. The 
elaborate overdressing, which he had remarked 
as one of her chief characteristics on his former 
visit, was absent, and her only ornaments were 
a spray of diamonds in her hair and a small 
cluster diamond pin, which gathered together 
the ruche of lace at her throat. He said to the 
Speaker : 


148 Around the Throne. 

“Mrs. Walton really looks quite well tonight^ 
and if she could only be persuaded to dress in 
this simple style at all times, would pass with- 
out especial notice in any crowd of people. ,, 

“I had not noticed her particularly/' was the 
reply. “In fact, I never pay any attention to 
what either men or women wear, although I 
should probably be aware of it should they ap- 
pear in public without any clothes, in spite of 
the fact that Mrs. Branch says that it would 
make no difference to me. Indeed, she says that 
I am so little interested in what she wears that 
if she should come down in her nightgown and 
say that she was ready to go out with me to a 
dinner or a reception, I should take my hat and 
coat and start off with her without observing 
her scant attire." 

“Mrs. Branch once told me that you would 
never put on your evening clothes without being 
told to do so," said the Judge laughingly. “In 
fact, Mr. Warham, she tells one of the best 
stories about the Speaker that is current in 
Washington, and there are a good many such. 
It is that on one occasion she came down to the 


Around the Throne. 


149 


library dressed to go to a reception at the Eng- 
lish Ambassador’s, and found Mr. Branch tak- 
ing a quiet nap in his chair. As it was already 
late, she aroused him in a hurry and sent him 
up to dress, with strict injunctions as to what 
he should wear. In about half an hour he re- 
turned and announced that he was ready. She 
looked up from the book she had been reading 
while waiting for him, and immediately became 
convulsed with laughter. In fact, she laughed 
so hard that the tears rolled down her face. She 
saw the gigantic form of the Speaker in his 
evening coat and vest, with his cravat properly 
tied, with his patent leather shoes on his feet, 
but unfortunately he had forgotten to put on his 
trousers, and you can imagine how he looked. 
For a few moments he thought his wife had 
become insane or had become hysterical, and 
was about to ring the bell for the servants when 
he saw himself in a large glass, and rushed up- 
stairs to put on his missing trousers, leaving 
Mrs. Branch to recover from her fit of laugh- 
ter.” 

“Now, Judge,” said the Speaker, rather in- 


150 Around the Throne. 

dignantly, “I do not think it fair that you should 
tell that story. But the tale is true, Warham, 
and I have often laughed to myself when I 
think what a figure I should have presented had 
I gone alone to that reception, which might 
easily have happened had Mrs. Branch been 
out of town. Just imagine the consternation 
of those solemn flunkies at the British Embassy 
if I had entered in that style. It would have 
been so absurd that I am almost sorry that it did 
not turn out this way.” 

By this time the rooms were rapidly filling 
with guests, and Mr. Warham, who had 
laughed heartily at the absurd story, turned to 
look around. As he did so the servant an- 
nounced the White House people, and he ob- 
served with interest the entry of the “First 
Lady of the Land,” whom he was glad to see 
looked much better than when he had formerly 
met her. As soon as the President and his wife 
had met the receiving party, they were shown to 
an adjoining room, where they were surrounded 
by other guests, with whom they engaged in 
conversation. 


Around the Throne. 151 

After a short time, Mr. Warham made his 
way toward the President and his wife, and 
although there were several people with them, 
he had no difficulty in reaching the outer circle 
of those with whom they were talking. As 
soon as he was noticed by the lady, he was 
recognized and asked to come forward, the 
others making way for him, in the meantime 
looking curiously at him, in surprise at the un- 
usual cordiality with which he was received by 
both the august personages. 

“I am really delighted to see you, Mr. War- 
ham,” said the lady, giving him her hand, after 
which the President shook his hand warmly 
and expressed his pleasure at meeting him once 
more. The lady continued : 

“You know I feel as if you were an old 
friend. I had no idea that I should see you 
here tonight, and I am very glad that I came, 
after all, for I only decided at the last moment 
to be present. We have some visitors at the 
White House, who will leave tomorrow, and I 
wanted so much to pass the evening quietly 
with them. The President, however, insisted 


152 Around the Throne. 

that Senator Walton would take it as a personal 
slight if we sent regrets, after accepting the 
invitation, and persuaded me to come for a few 
moments, saying that we could leave after 
greeting our host and hostess and passing a 
short time here. Now that I have met you, I 
believe I shall remain longer, for I so much 
wish to talk with you. Will you be in Wash- 
ington long? If so, I want you to dine with 
us.” 

Mr. Warham was very much pleased, and 
said that he expected to stay at the Capital for 
at least a week, and that he would esteem it an 
honor to be at the White House at any time 
which might suit her convenience. 

“Come on Sunday, then, and dine with us. 
There will be no other guests, except my nieces, 
who are staying with me, and we can have a 
quiet talk after dinner.” 

The President here suggested that if Mr. 
Warham would take charge of his wife, he 
would walk around and talk with some of the 
guests present. Mr. Warham gladly assented, 
and the lady taking his arm, they walked 


Around the Throne. 153 

through the rooms. As they proceeded, they 
were greeted cordially by many of the guests, 
to some of whom he was introduced, as he had 
not met them before. After about ten minutes 
they reached the door of the conservatory, 
which they entered, and seated themselves in 
one corner under a large orange tree, where 
they could see the whole extent of the large 
greenhouse, which was one of the most beauti- 
ful in Washington and was full of the rarest 
and most expensive plants of all sorts, bril- 
liantly illuminated with many-colored electric 
lights. In the center was a fountain, composed 
of a group of Italian girls in marble, pouring 
water from classically shaped jars and vases 
into a large marble basin. 

“This is the most extensive conservatory in 
Washington except that at the Botanical Gar- 
dens,” said the lady. “I only hope we may be 
allowed to enjoy it a few moments before others 
come in and interrupt us. I am so tired of 
crowds, and especially Washington crowds. If 
I could be permitted to enjoy society as other 
ladies do, it would be different, perhaps, but all 


154 


Around the Throne. 


the people I meet either ask favors or seem on 
the point of doing so, and I really dread to go 
out or to have people come to see me.” 

“If I may be allowed to suggest it,” said Mr. 
Warham, “I think if you were to administer a 
decided snubbing to some of them, the lesson 
might be effective and prevent most of the an- 
noyance when it becomes known that such 
would be the fate of those who are guilty of 
such ill-breeding.” 

The lady laughed heartily, and said : 

“You do not know the breed. Why, they do 
not know when they are snubbed or, if they do, 
they ignore it. I have snubbed dozens of them, 
but without effect. Their sensibilities seem to 
be hardened, and they return to the attack the 
next time they see me. Beside, the President 
objects to such a course. He has such a desire 
to be popular with all classes of people that he 
is afraid any action of such a character on my 
part would affect him and injure his adminis- 
tration. But here he comes, with Mrs. Walton, 
who really looks quite well and appears to as 
good advantage as most of her guests. If she 


Around the Throne. 155 

would only dress in this unpretentious way at 
all times it would be greatly to her advantage.” 

The President and Mrs. Walton by this time 
had made their way among the plants to where 
they were seated. His Excellency said : 

“I did not know what had become of you, 
and Mrs. Walton and I have been looking 
everywhere. I was afraid you might have been 
overcome by the unusual excitement, so when 
we heard that you had entered the conservatory 
we determined to look you up. I hope you are 
not feeling unwell.” 

“I am feeling very well, thank you,” was the 
reply. “I have had a nice talk with Mr. War- 
ham, and together we have admired the con- 
servatory; so, now, if you are ready, we will 
go back to the drawing-room, and then quietly 
go home. Your reception is a decided success, 
Mrs. Walton, as I noticed all the desirable 
people were present.” 

“I am much obliged to you and the President 
for coming,” said Mrs. Walton. “It is an 
honor we hardly expected, and is all the more 
appreciated on that account. Mr. Walton is 


156 Around the Throne. 

especially pleased because you came, and will 
express his thanks to you in person before you 
go.” 

“The Senator is one of my oldest and best 
friends,” said the President. “You know it is 
impossible for me to go out very often, but I 
was determined to come here tonight, to show 
my regard for both you and your husband.” 

“I, too, am very glad that we came,” said the 
lady of the White House. “I am glad to meet 
you in your own home, and I am glad because 
I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. War- 
ham again, who has promised to dine with us 
on Sunday.” 

By this time they had returned to the draw- 
ing-room. As they passed through' the hall 
many of those present looked at Mr. Warham 
with interest, and wondered why he was so 
honored by the President and his wife. When 
they heard who he was, the rumors which had 
gained currency on his former visit were re- 
vived with added force, and most of the guests 
felt sure that they saw in him a future Ambas- 
sador, or perhaps a Cabinet Minister, all of 


Around the Throne. 157 

which amused the subject of the rumors not a 
little when they were repeated to him later in 
the evening by Mrs. Branch, Miss Mortimer 
and others. 

When Senator Walton returned after escort- 
ing the President and his wife to their carriage, 
he said : 

“Warham, I have known you for a long time, 
and I confess that while I have always thought 
highly of you I never knew you were such a 
remarkable man as you seem to be. The Presi- 
dent and his wife talked of nothing else but 
your agreeable qualities as soon as they found 
you were here, and all the way to the carriage 
they talked on the same subject. And then the 
fact that she selected you to escort her around 
the rooms, and had you off to the conservatory 
for ever so long in tete-a-tete , is a novelty in 
Washington and has set all the tongues going 
about you. My boy, it looks very much like a 
flirtation, and tomorrow you will be the talk of 
Washington. Why is it that I have never dis- 
covered your remarkable qualities ?” 

Mr. Warham laughed, very much amused at 
what had been said, as he replied : 


158 Around the Throne. 

“I am sure I do not know, but I imagine that 
the reason the President and his wife are inter- 
ested, or are apparently so, in me is because I 
do not want anything from them. They say I 
am the only person they have met since they 
came to Washington who has not asked a favor 
and seems to have no intention of doing so, 
and also that I do not talk politics, in the usual 
Washington sense of the word.” 

“Well, there is something about you that has 
pleased them very much, and, whether you want 
anything or not, you need not be surprised 
should you be offered some appointment, for it 
will be like the President to offer you some 
honor just because you have not sought it.” 

“Whatever he may do, and I hope he will do 
nothing of the sort, I shall promptly decline it. 
Why, should such a thing happen, and if I ac- 
cept, no protestation of mine would ever con- 
vince people that I had not been scheming all 
the time and working to get it. As I said when 
here before, I want no office either for myself 
or anyone else, and what is more, will accept 
nothing at the hands of the President, much as 


Around the Throne. 159 

I appreciate the courtesy of himself and wife to 
me, both tonight and on my former visit.” 

At this moment Judge Mortimer came up 
and suggested that they take the ladies to the 
dining-room. He said : 

“Come, Mr. Warham, let us go to the dining- 
room and get something to eat. While I am not 
hungry, I know the ladies are. Women are al- 
ways hungry at receptions, and it is astonishing 
how much they can eat on such occasions.” 

Mr. Warham assented, and the gentlemen 
finding Mrs. and Miss Mortimer near at hand, 
they soon were seated at a small table in the 
large dining-room, which, together with the 
ball-room, with which it was connected by large 
folding doors, formed an apartment large 
enough to entertain a host of people. As there 
was no dancing, small tables were placed 
throughout both rooms. The walls were al- 
most concealed by plants and flowers, and in 
one corner was an orchestra, which played soft 
tunes of appropriate music. People were com- 
ing and going all the time, and negro waiters 
were serving all sorts of costly and elaborate 
refreshments to the guests. 


160 Around the Throne. 

At the adjoining table were the Speaker and 
Mrs. Branch and Secretary and Mrs. Barrett. 
At the suggestion of Mrs. Branch, the two 
tables were placed side by side, with the Judge 
at one end and the Secretary at the other, so 
that the whole party was seated in such a man- 
ner that conversation could be carried on with 
ease. 

“Now, this is what I call a nice arrange- 
ment, ” said Mrs. Branch. “Here we are seated 
together, quite en famille, and we can see all the 
people, talk about them, and enjoy all the lux- 
uries of the season, which I know are provided 
for us. Taking it altogether, this is quite the 
most delightful reception I have attended this 
season, and if Mrs. Walton will only entertain 
like this always she will soon be the most popu- 
lar hostess in Washington. Now, Mr. War- 
ham, we are ready.” 

“Ready for what?” said that gentleman in 
surprise. “You do not expect me to tell you 
what you should eat. Rather, you should tell 
me, for I understand you are a gastronomic 
connoisseur. Or, perhaps you wish me to ask 
the blessing?” 


Around the Throne. 161 

“No, no; I am not thinking of what any of 
us shall eat, for I intend to let the waiter attend 
to that, and am ready to eat anything he may 
bring to me. Everything we shall have will be 
very good. I shall trust Mrs. Walton’s menu, 
as she is a, good cook herself. Having passed 
the best years of her life in the kitchen, she 
will not have anything tonight that is not excel- 
lent. What I mean is, we are ready to hear 
you talk. We are all filled with curiosity to 
hear what took place between you and the lady 
of the White House, when you were engaged 
in that long flirtation in the conservatory to- 
night. Why, it created a sensation among the 
guests, it was so unusual.” 

Mr. Warham blushed to the roots of his hair, 
and said : 

“I am very much surprised to hear you. I 
can see nothing unusual in a man and woman 
going into the conservatory at a reception like 
this, in order to have a few moments quiet con- 
versation. Why should it create a sensation? 
I am sure you exaggerate greatly in what you 
say.” 


i 62 


Around the Throne. 


Mrs. Branch laughed softly, and, looking at 
the others, said : 

“If you had gone there with me or Mrs- Mor- 
timer, or, in fact, with anyone else, no one 
would have noticed it as unusual. But remem- 
ber you were with the lady of the White House, 
the wife of the President of the United States, 
and I venture to say that such a thing never 
happened before, certainly not since I have 
been in Washington, and therefore everybody 
is filled with curiosity to know why you were 
so honored. Please tell us, for we are all lit- 
erally overwhelmed with curiosity.” 

“We really talked about the most common- 
place things,” said Mr. Warham. “There was 
nothing said in our whole conversation which 
is worth repeating, and you would not be the 
least bit interested were I to go over it word for 
word. I found her, as I did on my former 
visit, an extremely intelligent and well-read 
woman. She is fond of books, and likes many 
of the authors who are favorites of mine, par- 
ticularly George Meredith, Stevenson and Bar- 
rie, and especially Meredith, and she is in some 


Around the Throne. 163 

respects the only woman I have met for some 
time who really appreciates Meredith at what 
I consider his true worth. What is also strange, 
I found that, pessimistic as she is in many 
respects, she is a thorough student of Emerson, 
whom I consider the most optimistic of the 
modern writers. Now, I have told you all, 
except that I am to dine at the White House 
on Sunday.” 

By this time the waiters had attended to their 
orders, and the conversation became disjointed 
and to a great extent devoted to the discussion 
of the food. After they had eaten all they de- 
sired, they passed a very short time in conver- 
sation with some of the guests, and not long 
after midnight all took their departure, first 
assuring Senator and Mrs. Walton that their 
reception was the best of the season, and, in 
fact, every one present said that it was a 
decided success. 


164 


Around the Throne. 


CHAPTER IX. 

AT THE SECRETARY OF STATENS. 

“Who is the lady in yellow and black, or 
rather, to be accurate, in orange and black, 
standing near the door, talking to the Secretary 
of War? I do not remember to have seen her 
when here before.” 

The inquiry was made of Mrs. Branch by 
Mr. Warham. They were at a reception given 
by the Secretary of State to the Diplomatic 
Corps, a few days after they had been present 
at Senator Walton’s. 

“Next to myself, I believe that lady is the 
most unpopular woman in Washington. She 
is Mrs. Shields, wife of Admiral Shields, and 
is really the power behind the throne in Naval 
affairs, as she is the head of the coterie of 
women who are credited with the management 
of the Navy Department. But, come; let me 
introduce you to her. She is looking this way, 


Around the Throne. 165 

and, as we cordially dislike each other, I am 
anxious for you to meet her. Later I will tell 
you more about her, if you wish it.” 

The introduction took place at once, after 
which Mr. Warham shook hands with the Sec- 
retary of War, who received him with much 
apparent pleasure. 

“I have heard so much of you since you 
were in Washington early in the winter, Mr. 
Warham, that I had just asked the Secretary to 
introduce us, when Mrs. Branch very kindly 
brought you here. Several people who met you, 
notably the Princess Cantakoff, Mrs. Mortimer, 
Secretary Barrett and others, have spoken of 
you, so that when I saw you at Senator Wal- 
ton’s the other night I hoped we should meet 
before you left town.” 

Mr. Warham thanked the lady for her kind 
thoughtfulness, and said that the pleasure at 
being presented to her was only increased by 
the fact that she had wished to know him, and 
that he had such kind friends as those whom 
she mentioned. He said : 

“I have not met the Prince and Princess since 


Around the Throne. 


i 66 

I have been here, but hope to call at the Em- 
bassy tomorrow. I presume they are here to- 
night, although I have been looking for them 
ever since I arrived.” 

“The Princess is at the other end of the small 
drawing-room, in the rear of this room/’ was 
the reply. “If you like, we can go there and 
you may be able to see her. The Secretary will 
excuse us, I am sure, and dear Mrs. Branch, I 
know, will not object to my taking you away 
from her for a few moments.” 

Mrs. Branch and the Secretary graciously ac- 
ceded to Mrs. Shields’ request, and, taking Mr. 
Warham’s arm, they immediately made their 
way to the room designated. 

“That woman has outwitted me for the first 
time,” said Mrs. Branch to the Secretary. “She 
has heard that Mr. Warham is a favorite of the 
President and his wife, and, mark my words, 
she wishes to use him in some way to further 
her schemes. She will try to keep possession 
of him all evening.” 

The Secretary was very much amused, and 
said : 


Around the Throne. 167 

“This is really very interesting, and I must 
say Mrs. Shields has managed the whole affair 
quite well. She was talking about you when 
I called her attention to your presence with Mr. 
Warham, and she immediately asked me to in- 
troduce him to her. Before that she had been 
urging me to make certain recommendations to 
the President, to which I demurred, as they 
were not connected with my department. Why, 
I believe she would like to manage the entire 
administration, just as she runs the Navy De- 
partment and cajoles the Secretary of the Navy 
now. She is one of the best politicians in the 
Capital, and should have been a man. I am 
very glad, however, that she has no connection 
with my department, for I have trouble enough 
with the maneuvering women whose husbands 
are under me now. I am afraid we should 
quarrel were she in such a position that she 
could come to me as she does to the poor Sec- 
retary of the Navy, who is generally believed to 
be under her thumb.” 

“The President ought to put a stop to her 
interference,” said Mrs. Branch indignantly. 


i68 


Around the Throne. 


“Why, I know of several instances where she 
has prevented well-deserved promotions in the 
Navy simply because she did not like the wives 
of the officers concerned. She and her Naval 
coterie have managed to interfere with success 
in several cases, and the Secretary has weakly 
yielded to their importunities. As I said be- 
fore, she has some scheme in her head to utilize 
Mr. Warham in carrying out her plans. But 
I shall warn him at the first opportunity.” 

The Secretary of War smiled at the good 
lady’s rising indignation, and was about to 
draw her out further, when his wife and the 
Secretary of the Navy came up and joined in 
the conversation. 

“What have you been saying to Mrs. 
Branch?” said the Secretary of the Navy. “My 
dear madam, you seem very indignant about 
something. I hope my friend here has not been 
worrying you with his latest troubles, and ask- 
ing for your sympathy because of the recent 
newspaper attacks on him,” and the head of the 
Navy Department smiled rather maliciously, it 
must be admitted, for his administration of 


Around the Throne. 169 

naval affairs had not at that time aroused the 
criticism for supposed favoritism which came 
later on. 

“Whatever may be said of the management 
of the War Department, Mr. Secretary,” said 
Mrs. Branch spitefully, at the same time look- 
ing directly in the eyes of the eminent New 
Englander who presided over the Navy, “no 
one has ever said that it was controlled by a 
clique of envious women.” 

The rotund face of the head of the Navy 
Department became very red at this thrust, for 
it was well known in Washington that hardly a 
move of importance was made by him but was 
to a great extent directed, or at least inspired, 
by Mrs. Shields and the “naval ladies,” as they 
were called. They were credited with influenc- 
ing very largely, if, indeed, they did not con- 
trol, every promotion or assignment made in 
the Navy, and woe be unto the unfortunate offi- 
cer who had offended any of them, or whose 
family was not ready to become subservient to 
their whims. He was obliged to chafe in re- 
tirement in some obscure and undesirable sta- 


170 Around the Throne. 

tion, while he saw men younger and often less 
deserving than himself placed in the choice po- 
sitions, given coveted assignments, and fre- 
quently promoted to higher rank over his head. 

The Secretary of War could hardly conceal 
his satisfaction at the discomfiture of his col- 
league, which, in truth, was plainly visible in 
his face. Before he could say anything, and, 
indeed, before the naval chief had recovered 
his composure, Mrs. Branch was once more 
smiling serenely, as she had gained her point, 
and in making one of her foes uncomfortable 
had added greatly to her own satisfaction. So, 
in honeyed tones, she said : 

“Forgive me, Mr. Secretary, but I am afraid 
I allowed my temper to get the better of me, 
and vented the ill-nature which was intended 
for Mrs. Shields on you. Of course, you know, 
we have all heard the stories that you and your 
department are under the manipulation of that 
lady and the coterie she leads, and of course you 
know also that no one who knows you believes 
a word of it.” 

As she said this Mrs. Branch looked almost 


Around the Throne. 17 1 

seraphic, so great was her pleasure at the dis- 
comfiture she was causing the Secretary of the 
Navy, who was one of her especial antipathies 
— in fact, he was the one man connected with 
the administration whom she hated and de- 
spised almost as much as she held in contempt 
the President himself. She was so delighted 
with the effect of her thrusts that she could not 
avoid inflicting another before the gentleman 
had sufficiently recovered his composure to re- 
ply. So she said : 

“By the way, Mr. Secretary, I understand 
that you and the Senate Committee are at odds 
about the promotions to be made in the Navy, 
and that the disagreement led to much bitter 
and acrimonious discussion about your man- 
agement. I was very sorry to hear it, for I 
always understood that the Navy was the one 
department that had an almost ideally perfect 
administration.” 

This was the worst cut of all, for the distin- 
guished Secretary was especially sensitive on 
this point, and to have his troubles laid bare 
before his rival, the Secretary of War, was 


172 Around the Throne. 

almost too much to bear. He turned almost 
scarlet, and with hardly repressed anger, said : 

“Madam, your concern for the management 
of my department is undoubtedly very great, 
and has been shown so often that I must again 
thank you. But your informants in regard to 
my official affairs have doubtless been inspired 
by less regard than you possess, for they seem 
to have misrepresented in the most glaring man- 
ner almost everything in the way of ill-natured 
gossip they may have heard. Zounds, madam ! 
is the work of the one department of the Gov- 
ment which has given more renown to our 
country than all the others during the past gen- 
eration to be tarnished by the idle and malicious 
cackle of a lot of busybodies, whose motives 
are inspired by envy and hatred? If this goes 
on as it has been for the past few weeks, it will 
get into the newspapers, and there is no telling 
where it will end.” 

The tone in which these words were spoken, 
and the manner of the distinguished gentleman, 
were indescribable, and indicated more than 
anything in the mere language how hard he 


Around the Throne. 173 

had been hit by Mrs. Branch’s biting sen- 
tences. The Secretary of War listened and 
watched with ill-concealed pleasure, and said: 

“My dear friend, as you have so often sug- 
gested to me, why should you care what the 
newspapers say about your department, so long 
as your conscience is clear ? The truth is, you 
are even more sensitive on the subject than I 
am, and the bare prospect that you may be at- 
tacked angers you quite as much as the real 
attacks anger me. What the result will be when 
the papers begin to criticise you is rather alarm- 
ing, in view of the fact that you are so upset 
at the prospect. But do not worry, as you said 
to me; no one who knows you will believe 
them.” 

“It is not what the people who know me may 
think,” was the reply, “for that does not disturb 
me in the least. But, you must remember that 
there are millions in the country who do not 
know me, except as a public man, and a large 
proportion of them are ready to believe any- 
thing they may see in print. It is what these 
almost untold millions may think that causes 
me trouble.” 


174 Around the Throne. 

Mrs. Shields and Mr. Warham at this mo- 
ment came back, and after a few words of com- 
monplace talk, Mrs. Branch took Mr. War- 
ham’s arm, and they walked out into the wide 
hall, to seek the other members of their party, 
preparatory to entering the supper rooms. 

“What did Mrs. Shields say about me ?” was 
Mrs. Branch’s inquiry, as soon as she and Mr. 
Warham were a few steps away from the lady 
named. “I am sure she seized the opportunity 
to say something ill-natured.” 

“On the contrary, she hardly mentioned you, 
except to say that you were the brightest woman 
in Washington,” was the reply. 

“She was much kinder than I shall be about 
her, then, for while I know she is bright in a 
certain astute way, I am not going to pay any 
compliments to my enemies. Whatever I may 
be, I am not deceitful, and while I diave found 
that expressing my candid opinion of people 
has made me plenty of enemies, there has been 
a satisfaction in doing so that more than com- 
pensates me for all their dislike.” As she said 
this, they found the other members of their 


Around the Throne. 175 

party, and made their way to the place where 
refreshments were served to the guests. 

When they were seated at the table, Mr. 
Warham turned to Mrs- Branch and said : 

“Remember, you promised to tell me about 
Mrs. Shields and her influence in the Navy 
Department/’ 

“Nothing will give me more pleasure, for if 
there is any woman in Washington whom I 
enjoy talking about, she is the woman.” 

“What has Mrs. Shields been doing now?” 
said the Speaker, who was sitting opposite Mr. 
Warham. “I did not see her here?” 

“Oh, she is here, and has had a long talk 
with Mr. Warham, whom she took away from 
me on the pretence that she wanted him to meet 
someone else,” and Mrs. Branch told of their 
meeting and the tilt she had with the Secretary 
of the Navy while Mr. Warham and the naval 
officer’s wife had been away from them. 

“Speaking of Mrs. Shields, reminds me of 
something that took place when I was a mem- 
ber of the House of Representatives, many 
years ago,” said Judge Mortimer. “She was 


176 Around the Throne. 

then stationed at the Naval Academy at An- 
napolis, and her husband was only a captain. 
It was very amusing, although rather trying 
to the lady herself at the time. I never meet 
her but I think of it.” 

“Please tell us the story,” said Mrs. Branch. 
“If it is anything to her detriment, I am sure 
we shall all enjoy it very much.” 

“It is nothing especially to her detriment, 
although I dare say it would make her furious 
if she knew it had been told. I don’t think I 
ever saw anyone more angry than she was at 
the time, but she brought the matter out herself. 
Mrs. Mortimer knows the story, for we have 
laughed over it very often, and perhaps it 
would be more fitting for her to tell it. But do 
not look alarmed, Mr.' Warham, there is noth- 
ing improper in the affair ; but, on the contrary, 
while most amusing, it could be told with per- 
fect propriety to a young ladies’ Sunday-school 
class.” 

“I was not afraid that the story might be 
improper,” said Mr. Warham. “If I looked 
alarmed, it was because I thought Mrs. Shields 


Around the Throne. 177 

might hear you talking about her, as she is sit- 
ting only a short distance from us, having 
entered the room a moment ago with several 
others. I am sure you do not want her to 
hear it.” 

“That would be too delightful,” said Mrs. 
Branch. “To have her discomfited to that ex- 
tent would be the greatest pleasure of the even- 
ing. But, dear Mrs. Mortimer, tell us the 
story, at any rate, even if you have to lower 
your voice to do so.” 

Mrs. Mortimer, however, declined to relate 
the story, saying that she would do so at some 
other time and in a less conspicuous place. 

“Do you mean the story of what occurred 
before the Committee on Naval Affairs, 
Judge?” said Mrs. Burnham, the wife of a Rep- 
resentative in Congress, who was seated at the 
table with them. “If such is the case, I will 
tell it, for I remember distinctly the whole af- 
fair, and I wonder very much that Mrs. Branch 
never heard it, as her husband was in Congress 
at the time.” 

The Judge said he supposed it was the same 
story. 


17B Around the Throne. 

“Very well, then,” said Mrs. Burnham, “you 
shall hear the story, which is not long, at once.” 

“It seems,” she continued, “the ladies at the 
Naval Academy several years ago came to the 
conclusion that the houses in which they were 
quartered were not good enough for them, so 
they determined to make an effort to get a bill 
passed by Congress to provide for the erection 
of new quarters. A committee, composed of 
about a dozen officers’ wives, came to Wash- 
ington to present the case to the Naval Com- 
mittee of the House on a day appointed for that 
purpose. They were received by the full com- 
mittee, and Mrs. Shields, as the spokeswoman, 
did the talking. She described the houses at An- 
napolis, and said that they were old-fashioned 
and not at all in accordance with what ought to 
be furnished by a great and rich Government 
for its naval officers. One of the members of 
the committee said that he had visited the Acad- 
emy a short time before, and ventured the 
statement that not one of the members present 
was able to live in a house as good as those, and 
further, that he did not believe many members 


Around the Throne. 179 

of the House had as fine homes as were fur- 
nished at Annapolis for the officers stationed 
there. 

“That may all be true,” said Mrs. Shields, 
“but it is no reply to my assertion that the Gov- 
ernment ought to provide better quarters for 
the families of those who give up their whole 
lives to its service. Naval officers should be 
furnished with homes in accordance with their 
rank and dignity. They give up a great deal 
for their country, and should be treated accord- 
ingly.” 

“Is it not the case, madam,” said the Chair- 
man of the Committee, “that the houses at An- 
napolis are as good, if not better, than most of 
the officers and their families were accustomed 
to before they entered the service of the Gov- 
ernment? You must remember that a large 
proportion of the naval officers were originally 
poor boys, who were appointed cadets by mem- 
bers of the House. Very few of them were the 
sons of rich men, and I imagine their wives 
were likewise from families in moderate cir- 
cumstances.” 


i8o 


Around the Throne. 


“Such, no doubt, is the case with some of 
them,” said Mrs. Shields, rather angrily and 
with ill-concealed irritation, “but others belong 
to excellent families, and were accustomed to 
much better surroundings than they have at 
the Naval Academy.” 

This reply rather nettled the Chairman, who 
said : 

“I know of one case which will illustrate the 
point I make, as it is but a sample out of a 
large number. Some years ago a friend of 
mine who represented a district in Congress 
gave the appointment to the Naval Academy 
to an Irish boy, whose mother was a washer- 
woman. The boy was bright and talented and 
graduated high in his class. Shortly after his 
graduation he returned to his home and mar- 
ried the daughter of an Irish saloon-keeper, a 
girl who had been his playmate and with whom 
he had kept up a correspondence during all the 
years he had been absent. His friends told him 
he ought to look higher, and not marry one 
who had been brought up in rooms over her 
father’s saloon and whose whole life had been 


Around the Throne. 181 

passed in a house connected with such sur- 
roundings; but he nobly remained true to his 
first love and married the girl, who was bright 
and intelligent, and who in a short time 
adapted herself to her new sphere, and no one 
who saw her a few years later would have im- 
agined that the wife of the naval officer had 
ever been other than she appeared, an accom- 
plished lady. No one who should ever meet her 
now would believe that she had passed all the 
early years of her life over a common Irish 
saloon, or playing on the pavement and in the 
gutter of the slums of a large Northern manu- 
facturing town. All the education she received, 
other than what she learned herself, was gath- 
ered at the parish school of the Roman Catholic 
Church in the neighborhood where she lived. 
And yet this lady is a leader in the naval circles, 
and her husband is a highly honored officer of 
the Navy, and both deserve the greatest possi- 
ble credit for the ability they have shown, and 
for the fact that they are as highly esteemed as 
if they had been nurtured in all the refinements 
of life and had been born of parents possessed 


i 82 


Around the Throne. 


of both wealth and high social position. They 
are illustrations of what our American system 
can do for people of the most humble origin, 
and who were born and brought up amid sor- 
did and almost degrading.surroundings.” 

“While the Chairman of the Committee had 
been telling this story, Mrs. Shields colored to 
the roots of her hair and only by the strongest 
effort controlled her very apparent agitation. 

“Some of the ladies who were with her had 
heard it before, and it was with no little satis- 
faction they listened to the recital of Mrs. 
Shields’ family history, for she had been tyran- 
nizing over them at Annapolis during the years 
they had been stationed there with her. After 
the story had been told, they were informed 
by the Chairman that what they had said would 
be carefully considered by the committee, upon 
which they took their departure. I learned later 
that upon their return to Annapolis the whole 
affair was thoroughly discussed, and so much 
feeling was aroused that Captain Shields asked 
to be transferred elsewhere. When he came to 
Washington to assume his present position in 


Around the Throne. 


i8 3 

the Navy Department, Mrs. Shields acted as if 
no one had ever heard of her humble origin, and 
has been lording it over everybody here, as far 
as she can do so, ever since. By some means 
she has become a power in the administration, 
and has succeeded in having sent to obscure 
and distant stations all the Navy people who 
ever crossed her in any of her schemes, and is 
really a terror to all those whom she dislikes 
'in the department, over which she really pre- 
sides, as those who know her well understand, 
and those who do not fear her openly assert 
whenever asked.” 

“Does the President understand what is 
going on, and still permit it?” asked Mr. War- 
ham. “Does he know all that is being said 
about these matters and not interfere to pre- 
vent such injustice, admitting that you have 
been correctly informed as to the management 
of the Navy?” 

“Oh, the President amounts to very little,” 
said the Speaker. “He is absolutely without 
any stamina and resists nothing. Allowing for 
all the prejudice I, or, indeed, any of his so- 


184 Around the Throne. 

called enemies, may have in regard to him, it is 
admitted by all that he is extremely weak and 
yielding, and is a tool in the hands of all sorts 
of designing people. The fact that the Navy 
Department is entirely under the control of 
what is known as the Navy clique, is well known 
to everybody in Washington, and is beyond dis- 
pute. The President understands it as well as 
others.” 

“Why,” said Mrs. Burnham, “everybody in 
Washington knows that Mrs. Shields is respon- 
sible for all the trouble and scandal that has 
arisen over the claims of two naval officers who 
were conspicuous only a short time ago, and 
which affair has not been settled at the present 
time. The Navy Department, under the in- 
fluence of this woman and her followers, has 
persistently belittled the services of the man, 
the newspapers and people of the country 
(whether justly or unjustly is more than I can 
tell) have determined is entitled to great honor. 
And all this hostility had its origin in the fact 
that the wife of the man whose humiliation 
has been attempted, in years past snubbed Mrs. 


Around the Throne. 185 

Shields. The lady is a member of an old and 
aristocratic family, and it must be confessed is 
rather arrogant and exclusive, and, perhaps not 
very considerately, treated Mrs. Shields with 
disdain and often alluded to the fact that she 
was a saloon-keeper’s daughter, and that it 
would take two or three generations to take the 
odor of the barroom whiskey from her blood. 
Of course, Mrs. Shields heard all this, and 
when her time came took her revenge.” 

“Yes,” said Mrs. Branch, “and when efforts 
were made to harmonize the differences between 
the two ladies, so I have been told, Mrs. Shields 
expressed her willingness to forgive and forget 
all past snubs, provided the other lady would 
give her the proper social recognition. The 
other lady, however, haughtily refused to meet 
her in such a way, saying that the line must be 
drawn somewhere, and, for her part, she felt 
compelled to draw it before the daughter of a 
rum-seller, whose husband was the son of a 
washerwoman, and that no possible official rank 
could make such a woman her equal in a social 
point of view. Of course, all this only made 


Around the Throne. 


i 86 

matters worse, and the hostility is now greater 
than ever before/' 

“And such absurd follies are allowed to con- 
trol the action of a great department of the 
Government,” said Mr. Warham, in a tone of 
deep disgust. “No wonder people who are fa- 
miliar with the inside workings of affairs in 
Washington so frequently speak of our leading 
statesmen with contempt. It is probably well 
for the country that the people do not under- 
stand all the moving springs of official matters, 
for if they did, there would be such an outburst 
of popular indignation that it would jeopardize 
the very foundations of the Government, and 
would result in a general cleaning out of the 
departments and probably change the whole 
system. Why, from all that I have learned dur- 
ing my visits here, I can only conclude that 
petty spite and personal jealousies have more 
to do with the management of the affairs of the 
nation than personal worth and public neces- 
sity. The courts of Europe in their worst 
phases, when favoritism was the governing 
principle, never went to greater lengths than 


Around the Throne. 187 

seem to be the rule here in almost everything. 
I had often heard such things whispered, and 
occasionally hinted at in newspapers, but I 
never for a moment believed them to have any 
foundation in fact. But, I am obliged to con- 
fess that all the indications prove beyond fur- 
ther doubt that we are no better than other 
people, and that we are governed by the same 
old human rules that obtain in other capitals 
of the world.” 

After a few moments' further discussion of 
the subject they left the supper room, and in a 
short time took their departure from the house. 


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